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 2026-27 (Webpage) (Rules/Entry form)
Competition: Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, 6pm, Bezanson Hall 
Concert: Friday, March 12, 2027, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall
Entry deadline: Mon. Oct. 12, 2026, 4:30pm
Open to any UMass Amherst student currently taking applied lessons.
Categories: Undergraduate, Graduate
Previous winners not eligible in the same category.

Auditions for a place in the UMass Orchestras:
String players may audition for the UMass Symphony Orchestra or the All University Orchestra.
Wind/Brass/Percussion players audition for placement in either the UMass Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Symphony Band.
Please see the Large Ensemble Auditions webpage for details, excerpts, Sign-up form and Survey form

SCHEDULES:
UMass Symphony Orchestra (UMASO; MUSIC 565-01): 
Rehearsal Schedule: MWF 2:30–4:10, Rm. 44.
2026-27 UMASO Concerts:
Thurs/Fri, Oct. 15 & 16, Tillis Hall: Multibands matinees and Fri evening concert
Fri, Oct. 23, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall (Includes Shostakovich Symphony #5)
Fri, Dec. 4, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall (Includes Mahler Symphony #4)
Fri, March 12, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall: Concerto Competition winners concert 
Fri, April 30, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall
Wed, May 12, 7:30pm, Tillis Hall: Jazz Ensemble I & Studio Orchestra

All-University Orchestra (AUO; MUSIC 593J-01; usually strings only): 
Rehearsal Schedule: Wed 5:30–7:00 p.m.
AUO concerts Wed. Nov. 18 and Wed. April 28 in Bezanson, 7:30pm