Orchestras
Orchestral experience for all majors
Our Orchestra program offers performance opportunities and orchestral training for music majors as well as non-music majors. The University Symphony Orchestra specializes in works written for large orchestra and recent performances have included symphonies by Brahms, Martinů, and Dvořák, and The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky. All-University String Orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings and is open to all students without an audition. All-University Philharmonia Orchestra is open to non-music major string players regardless of major with an audition and rehearses on Sunday afternoons.
Oriol Sans, Conductor and Director of Orchestral Activities
Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 pm-6 pm
Course Number: Undergraduate 660-062, Graduate 660-570; 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition required.
Description: University Symphony Orchestra is a symphonic ensemble of approximately 90 musicians. It typically performs 3-4 times each semester, including opera and works with chorus. University Symphony Orchestra is open to music majors and non-music majors by audition. Auditions for the University Symphony Orchestra are held prior to the beginning of classes in the fall semester, and auditions for spring-semester vacancies are held in December.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student wishing to be considered for placement in Symphony Orchestra may audition, regardless of degree path.
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday 6:30 pm-8 pm or 8:15 pm-9:45 pm
Course Number: 660-060. 1 credit.
Prerequisite: No audition required.
Description: All-University String Orchestra is open to string players regardless of major. No audition is required. All-University String Orchestra meets on Monday evenings and performs one concert each semester.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student can join All-University String Orchestra regardless of degree path.
Rehearsal Schedule: Sunday 1 pm-3 pm
Course Number: Music 297-038. 1 credit.
Prerequisite: Audition required.
Description: All-University Philharmonia Orchestra is the newest orchestral ensemble for non-music majors at UW–Madison. Students playing orchestral string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are welcome to audition. The dates and format of this audition are different than the audition for the Concert Band, University Symphony Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble, so please check the information below. All-University Philharmonia Orchestra meets on Sunday afternoons and performs one concert each semester.
Open to All Majors (Y/N): Yes, any UW–Madison student can join All-University Philharmonia Orchestra regardless of degree path upon completion of an entrance audition.
Rehearsal Schedule: Sunday 3:30 pm-6 pm
Prerequisite: School of Medicine and Public Health affiliation
Description: Founded in 2018 as a partnership with the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), the Medical Sciences Orchestra brings together students, faculty, staff, and alumni from SMPH to cultivate creativity, promote wellness, and build community through music. The orchestra’s inaugural concert was in December 2018, and since then has performed once every semester, offering a unique space for inter-professional collaboration across disciplines.
To learn more about the orchestra, visit their website here.
University Symphony Orchestra Auditions
Fall 2026 Placement Auditions will take place Monday, August 24 through Friday, August 28. To inquire about open audition slots, please contact meo@music.wisc.edu.
Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and University Symphony Orchestra auditions are required for all students. Auditioning for these ensembles is required for UW–Madison undergraduate music majors with a classical focus degree in woodwind, brass, percussion, and strings; all UW–Madison music majors who have been awarded a scholarship while pursuing a classical focus degree in woodwind, brass, percussion, and strings; and all Summer Music Clinic Tuition Waiver recipients.
Students playing non-string instruments re-audition every semester, and can be placed in University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and/or Concert Band. Students playing string instruments audition in the fall. Students playing string instruments who were not in the University Symphony Orchestra in the fall can signup for a spring audition, but seat availability is reduced.
All-University Philharmonia Auditions
To inquire about open audition slots, please contact meo@music.wisc.edu.
All-University Philharmonia audition schedule
Wednesday, September 2, 6 pm-9 pm
Thursday, September 3, 6 pm-9 pm (if needed)
Friday, September 4, 6 pm-9 pm (if needed)
- Perform a 3-4 minute piece or an excerpt from a piece of your choice that best showcases your musicality and technical abilities with your instrument
- At the audition, you will be asked to play a scale
- No sight reading
Symphony Orchestra Concerto competition
Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition guidelines are available here.
The Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition takes place every year, and is open to students of all disciplines who are full-time students in the School of Music. Students compete in preliminary rounds in each departmental area (strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, percussion, voice). The final round takes place in the Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall. Each year, up to three winners are selected to perform their concerto (either in the following spring or next fall) with the UW–Madison Symphony Orchestra.
Musicians who have been named a winner in one of the School of Music Large Ensemble Concerto Competitions are not eligible to compete in a second competition during the same year.