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 the newest ensemble open to non-music major string players regardless of major with an audition and rehearses on Sunday afternoons.
University Symphony Orchestra
Oriol Sans, conductor and Director of Orchestral Activities
Rehearsal Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30–6:00 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.
All-University String Orchestra
Rehearsal Schedule: Monday 6:30-8 PM or 8:15-9:45 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.
All-University Philharmonia Orchestra - New for Fall 2025
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.
Medical Sciences Orchestra - A partnership with the School of Medicine and Public Health
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’s journey and its impact on the SMPH community, check out their website here.
