The University Philharmonic Orchestra is recognized as a leader in providing students with outstanding training and experience in the standard orchestral repertoire. From Bach to Brahms, to Mahler and beyond, the University Philharmonic Orchestra studies and performs the great masterworks at award-winning levels of excellence. The ensemble has been invited to perform in venues across the state of Missouri including five appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention and at the 2019 American Choral Directors Association Conference under the direction of Dr. Andre Thomas. The Philharmonic was also awarded the prestigious honor of performing at the Music Educators National Conference, in Kansas City, MO, in 1996, and in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2006. The orchestra has had the privilege of sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists such as Bobby McFerrin, the Beaux Arts Trio, the Bach Aria Group; operatic divas Marilyn Horne and Monserrat Caballe; pianists Santiago Rodriguez and Minoru Nojima; violinist Xiang Gao; and conductors Aaron Copland, Otto-Werner Mueller, Nicolai Rescigno, Robert Shaw, and Evgeni Ratchev.