Interested in being part of a wonderful, local musical group? Then join the UT Symphony Orchestra! The UT Symphony Orchestra is a University ensemble, but welcomes both adult and high school student members of the community. We spoke with UT Symphony Orchestra Conductor Dr. Susan Robinson to learn more.
The UT Symphony Orchestra has existed for a long time and has encountered ebbs and flows along the way. Over the past two years, Covid has presented unique challenges, but they continued to rehearse and perform together throughout the pandemic. The current program consists of both a string orchestra and a full symphony orchestra.
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The dynamic in the orchestra is one in which students can learn from the more experienced players, and the students inspired the older musicians.
The orchestra plays a variety of music, from serious, classical works to lighter fare. This includes popular favorites from the classical literature, such as Finlandia, Mars, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, An American in Paris, Academic Festival Overture, Danse Macabre, Karelia Suite, Egmont Overture, and many others.
Pictures at an Exhibition
They also play film and lighter music. The current season will open with Pictures at An Exhibition. The orchestra also collaborates with other musical ensembles and artistic organizations such as their regular performance collaboration with the UT Opera Workshop.
The orchestra especially invites string players from the community to join the ensemble. As Dr. Robinson states, “There can never be too many!” However, there are opportunities for instrumentalists in the woodwind, brass, and percussion sections, as well. They are encouraged to contact Dr. Robinson for specific openings at SROBINSON@ut.edu.
Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Grand Rehearsal Room on the fourth floor of the Ferman Center for the Arts on the UT campus. Visitor parking is available on the ground floor of the Thomas Parking Garage. The first rehearsal of the season will be Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The orchestra performs three times each semester.
