Orchestra

Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra presents outstanding performances of orchestral works from the 18th century to the present. Its membership includes music majors, non-majors, graduate students and undergraduates all devoted to the serious study and passionate performance of great symphonic music.

From the classics of Bach, Brahms, Debussy, Ravel and Mahler to world premieres of 21st century works, the Symphony Orchestra studies and performs great masterworks of the orchestral repertoire at award-winning levels of excellence. The ensemble regularly performs in the historic Missouri Theater and in venues across the state. Its touring performances have included five appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association Convention, appearances at the 2019 American Choral Directors Association Conference, performances at the 1996 Music Educators National Conference in Kansas City, MO and in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2006.

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Performance, Collaboration, and Growth

Opportunities

The educational and artistic experience of Symphony Orchestra members is enriched each year with performances of major choral-orchestral works as part of the University’s Choral Union series, and in performances of major operatic works as part of the University’s “Show-Me Opera” program. Students enrolled in lessons can also compete in the annual soloist competition. Winners, selected by outside judges, will have the opportunity to perform complete works for soloist and orchestra as a part of the Symphony Orchestra’s season schedule.

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.

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Audition

Membership and participation in the Symphony Orchestra is available to all university students – even those pursuing degrees beyond music. Auditions are required prior to enrolling, and it is recommended that students also enroll in private lessons with a member of the School of Music Faculty.

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Chamber Soloists

Students who participate in string chamber music are placed in appropriate ensembles and coached by a member of the Esterhàzy Quartet. The objectives of the groups differ, some doing a great deal of public performance and others spending most of their time learning chamber music techniques and literature. These objectives are determined in consultation with the students. Sections are often combined with pianists or wind players in order to perform the masterpieces of chamber music literature. Admission is by consent of the string faculty.  

A violinist playing

Symphony Orchestra

Concerts

Experience a diverse range of music performed by students from across Mizzou. The Symphony Orchestra performs six times per year in Jesse Auditorium and Missouri Theatre. Shows are typically 1-1.5 hours with intermission, and typically including 3-4 pieces with a solo.

An orchestra playing


Fall 2025 Performances 

Conductor:

  • Dr. John McKeever

Program:

  • Barber – Second Essay for Orchestra
  • Mozart – “Parto, parto, ma tu ben mio” from La Clemenza di Tito
  • Sibelius – Symphony No. 2

Soloist:

  • Kennedy Kinnick - mezzo soprano (Soloist Competition Winner)

Location: Missouri Theatre 

Time: 3 p.m.

Admission: $5 (card only) at the door for community members and free for MU Faculty, Staff, and Students with MU ID.

Conductor:

  • Dr. John McKeever

Program:

  • Marquez – Conga del Fuego Nuevo
  • Dai Wei – The Dancing Moonlight
  • Stephanie Berg – Ravish and Mayhem
  • Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite (1919)

Location: Missouri Theatre 

Time: 3 p.m.

Admission: $5 (card only) at the door for community members and free for MU Faculty, Staff, and Students with MU ID.


Spring 2026 Performances 

Conductor:

  • Ellie Chang, Conductor

Program:

  • Holst – St. Paul’s Suite for Full Orchestra
  • Montgomery – Shift, Change, Turn
  • Dvorak – Seven Pieces for Small Orchestra

Location: Missouri Theatre 

Time: 3 p.m.

Admission: $5 (card only) at the door for community members and free for MU Faculty, Staff, and Students with MU ID.

Show-Me Opera

  • In collaboration with Show-Me Opera

Conductor:

  • Dr. John McKeever

Program:

  • Humperdinck – Hansel and Gretel

Location: Missouri Theatre 

Dates & Times: 3/14/26 at 7 p.m. and 3/15/26 at 2 p.m.

Admission: $5 (card only) at the door for community members and free for MU Faculty, Staff, and Students with MU ID.

Program:

  • Verdi – Nabucco Overture
  • Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Movement I
  • Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 5 

Soloist:

  • Hanyu Zhang - piano (Soloist Competition Winner)

Location: Missouri Theater

Time: 7 p.m.

Admission: $5 (card only) at the door for community members and free for MU Faculty, Staff, and Students with MU ID.

Orchestra Faculty

Director of Orchestral Activities
309 Sinquefield Music Center

Events