Orchestral Ensembles

Ensembles are open to all UMass Amherst students (not just Music majors), subject to auditions held at the beginning of each semester.

All ensembles appear in concert on campus several times a year. Ensembles have also been selected to represent UMass Amherst at conventions and festivals that have included Symphony Hall in Springfield, MA; the Washington, DC home of the Marine Band; and the Capitol Building in Boston.

CONCERTO/ARIA COMPETITION 2026 (Webpage)
Competition: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, 4pm, Bezanson Hall (changed from Friday)
Concert: Monday, March 2, 2026, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall
Entry deadline: Mon. Oct. 6, 2025, 4:30pm
Open to any UMass Amherst student currently taking applied lessons.
Categories: Undergraduate, Graduate, Open
Previous winners not eligible in the same category.

SPRING 2026 STRING PLACEMENT AUDITIONS (for NEW string students only)
For both UMass Symphony Orchestra (UMASO) and All-University Orchestra (AUO)
Room 259 of the Bromery Center (Prof. Hidalgo's office)
Friday, January 30, 10:30 - 12:30, same repertoire as for Fall 2025 (see info form)

STRING STUDENTS WHO ARE AUDITIONING MUST FILL OUT THE AUDITION SURVEY FORM. 

Spring 2026 Audition info/excerpts (For new string students only)
Audition Survey form (required for new students)

To secure an audition slot, please contact TA Elijah Zelaya, @email.

For Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion auditions, please see the Bands webpage. W/B/P players should audition for placement in Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Symphony Band.

REPERTOIRE & SCHEDULE:
Symphony Orchestra (MUSIC 565-01): Rehearsal Schedule: MWF 2:30–4:10, Rm. 44.
2025-26 UMASO Concerts:
Thurs/Fri, Oct. 16 & 17, Tillis Hall: Multibands matinees and Fri evening concert
Sat, Oct. 25, 4pm, Tillis Hall: Symphony Orchestra (Ravel: Mother Goose Suite, Tchaikovsky Sym. #5 in e minor)
Fri, Dec. 5, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall: Symphony Orchestra (Stravinsky: Firebird Suite 1919, Moncayo: Huapango,
Marquez: Danzon No. 2, Estéves: Mediodia en el llano, Ginastera: Suite "La estancia")
Mon, March 2, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall: Concerto Competition winners concert (Elgar, Prokofiev, Debussy)
Sun, April 26, 4pm, Tillis Hall: Verdi Requiem concert
Wed, May 6, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall: Jazz Ensemble I & Studio Orchestra

All-University Orchestra (MUSIC 593J-01): Rehearsal Schedule: Wed 5:30–7:00 p.m.
AUO concerts Wed. Nov. 19 and Wed. April 15 in Bezanson, 7:30pm