2024–2025: Classical Cornerstones
The °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Symphony Orchestra’s 2024–25 season includes pieces that are iconic cornerstones of the classical repertoire: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Brahms’s German Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. But we also we kick off the season with a celebration of frontier exploration in both music and science, including Holst’s Planets, two new compositions (an overture by James Gammon and a violin concerto by Paul Sanho Kim, featuring the composer as soloist), and music featured in Stanley Kubrick’s "2001: A Space Odyssey." We are excited to invite Dr. William McClain of the Columbus Symphony in Indiana and the Millikin-Decatur Symphony in Illinois as a guest conductor, and we look forward to collaborating twice this season with the °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Concert Choir as well as the winner of our annual Young Artists Competition. If you were ever considering a season to take part or to check us out, this is the season to do it!
About the Orchestra
Founded in 1977, theÌý°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Symphony OrchestraÌý(°¼Í¹ÊÓƵSO) performs works from the standard classical and contemporary repertoire for full orchestra. It is a fantastic opportunity to interact with other passionate student musicians who work together and challenge each other to make music of the highest quality possible.
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵSO is open to all students, faculty, and staff at °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ by audition. Community members may also audition and are considered on an as-needed basis.
In addition to a diverse repertoire from all periods and styles, the °¼Í¹ÊÓƵSO:
- features faculty soloists from °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ and beyond
- hosts a department-wide Young Artist Competition in the fall with the winners appearing in the spring
- collaborates with leading high school orchestras in the region
Several concerts are performed each season featuring both symphonic and string orchestra literature, often in conjunction with the Concert Choir and °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Opera. The orchestra also occasionally serves as a laboratory orchestra for composition and conducting students.
The following links below provide additional information about the °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Symphony Orchestra. Please contactÌýDr. Paul Sanho KimÌýif you are interested in joining!
°¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Side by Side with the Virginia Symphony
The °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Symphony Orchestra teamed up with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 2018 with a side-by-side "Russian Perspectives" concert. Works included Rimsky-Korsakov'sÌýRussian Easter Overture,Ìýled by music director Paul Kim; Shchedrin'sÌýCarmen Suite,Ìýconducted by percussion instructor David Walker and featuring the °¼Í¹ÊÓƵ Percussion Ensemble; and Mussorgsky'sÌýPictures at an Exhibition,Ìýled by VSO's Benjamin Rous.
Mahler Symphony No. 1, side by side with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2017
