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 1985-2017, 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.

Chamber Soloists Ensembles 

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.