The Symphony Orchestra, directed by Octavio Más-Arocas, was established in 1927 and has performed for the Music Educators National Conference in Indianapolis on two occasions. It has presented the gala opening concert of the Music Educators Midwestern Conference in Ann Arbor and performed the opening concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Midwest International Conference of Bands and Orchestras in Chicago. The Symphony Orchestra has recorded for Koch International Classics, Arizona University Records, GIA Records, and PBS specials. In addition, the orchestra’s performance of “The Birth of a Symphony,” Symphony No. 4 (“The Gardens”) by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, was videotaped by PBS for nationwide distribution.

The Concert Orchestra, directed by Katherine Kilburn, is an ensemble that is open to students, staff, and faculty across the entire university regardless of major. It is designed to be a place where people from all corners of the MSU community can come together to perform in an orchestra once a week and have fun doing it! The group presents four concerts per year (two per semester), and currently rehearses once a week on Wednesday evenings. An audition is required for acceptance into the ensemble, and regular attendance is expected. However, the group is designed to be a low pressure, engaging, and community-building artistic experience for all involved.

Visit the Concert Orchestra website for details.