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.

String placement auditions take place on Saturday, Feb. 3 or by appointment.
for both UMass Symphony Orchestra (UMASO) and All-University Orchestra (AUO).

For spring 2024, string auditions are only for NEW orchestra students or those wishing to change ensembles.
Ensemble information & audition excerpts =>
Sign-up form =>
Audition survey form =>

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.


CONCERTO/ARIA COMPETITION:
2023–24 Season: To be announced
2022/23 Concerto Competition winners: Brian Carr, saxophone; Luca Kevorkian, violin; and Zhen Tu, piano

REPERTOIRE & SCHEDULE:
Symphony Orchestra (MUSIC 565-01): Rehearsal Schedule: MWF 2:30–4:10, Rm. 44.
Spring 2024 Concerts: Mon. March 11 @ 7:30pm; Tues. April 9 @ 7:30pm, Sat. May 4, 4pm (with Choirs); also Jazz Studio Orch—Fri. May 10, 7:30pm; all in Tillis Hall
March 11 repertoire: Haydn Symphony #100; Shostakovich Symphony #12
April 9 repertoire: Winners of Concerto Competition
May 4 repertoire: Mozart Requiem

All-University Orchestra (MUSIC 593J-01): Rehearsal Schedule: Wed 5:30–7:00 p.m

Ensemble descriptions

Hidalgo Ardila posed to conduct while sheet music falls around him.
Gonzalo Alexander Hidalgo Ardila

Interim Orchestra Conductor

From the conducting class of Eduardo Marturet and Teresa Hernández, Gonzalo has directed some of the most important youth and professional orchestras in Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, United States and Argentina. Gonzalo was one of the finalists in the international competition for associate conductor of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, as well as a finalist for the position of principal conductor of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra in Boston.
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