University Philharmonic Orchestra
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 Philharmonic studies and performs the great masterworks at award-winning levels of excellence.

Under the leadership of Edward Dolbashian, Orchestra Director from 1985-20017, the Philharmonic has been invited to perform in venues throughout the state of Missouri including five appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention. 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.  Maestro Barry Ford took over in the Fall of 2017 and assisted with the group's invited appearance at the National ACDA convention in Kansas City in 2019.

The Philharmonic has had the privilege of sharing the stage with internationally renowned artists. Such notables include 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.

As part of a student's overall musical experience, a concerto competition is open to all students who are studying privately with a School of Music Faculty member. Each year one to four students are selected to perform a full concerto with the orchestra as part of the season's schedule.

Membership in the Philharmonic is available to university students who are majoring in fields other than music. An audition is required prior to enrolling, and, if accepted, the student must also enroll in private lessons with a member of the School of Music Faculty. This is to ensure that the Orchestra's level of performance remains high.