Symphony Orchestra
Formed in 1956, The University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra (URSO) continues
a tradition of joyful performances of masterworks of the symphonic repertoire.
Numbering one-hundred members, the Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Dr. David Harman) is a blend of university
undergraduate and graduate students as well as talented community musicians
from the greater Rochester area. Our series of four free concerts each year
showcases this accomplished ensemble.
The Symphony Orchestra performs in the Henry
Alvah Strong Auditorium on
the University of Rochester River Campus.
For the 2008-09 season , the Symphony Orchestra offers a strong blend of standard orchestral
works as well as some new and unusual pieces.
This season, the Symphony Orchestra will be performing works by Mahler, Bruch, Respighi, and Berlioz. In addition, the winners of the annual
Concerto Competition for River Campus students will appear as featured soloists.
Auditions for the River Campus Concerto Competition are held every fall,
typically on the first Wednesday of November. For a PDF version of the Concerto
Competition application, click here.
This year, auditions for Symphony Orchestra and for Chamber Orchestra will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 2 and 3. You'll be able to sign up at Todd Union for an audition time beginning on August 29. Please prepare two to three minutes of your favorite solo that represents your musical and technical abilities. There will also be some sight reading. The entire audition should take about seven minutes.
Although membership is normally granted through auditions held each September,
experienced string players are welcome to audition at any time during the
year. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. in
Strong Auditorium.
We hope you will join us for this exciting season!
