2025-2026: The American Spirit
The Ƶ Symphony Orchestra is excited to feature several American works throughout its 2025-26 season to celebrate the United States turning 250 in 2026. Our season opening “Fables and Fairy Tales” concert will feature local composer Anne Neikirk’s tone poem Fables, followed by fantasy-filled music from Ravel’s Mother Goose, ѱԻdz’s&Բ;Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Stravinsky’s Firebird. We are also excited to welcome Jacob Harrison from Texas State University as a guest conductor. In November we collaborate with Ƶ Opera to bring to life the endearing Christmas love story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, through a beautiful production of David Conte’s opera of the same name. December’s joint concert with the Ƶ Wind Ensemble will feature our string orchestra playing music by John Williams, along with Rebecca Clarke, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Gustav Holst. In March we will feature Alan Hovhaness’s transcendent Symphony No. 2 “Mysterious Mountain,” as well as other works by Amy Beach and William Grant Still. Our final concert in April will feature Mozart’s Requiem in collaboration with Nancy Klein and the Ƶ Concert Choir. Whether as a participant as an audience member, join us to experience music—both familiar and not so familiar—that highlights the multi-faceted nature of the American community and beyond.
About the Orchestra
Founded in 1977, the Ƶ Symphony Orchestra (ƵSO) 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.
ƵSO is open to all students, faculty, and staff at Ƶ 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 ƵSO:
- features faculty soloists from Ƶ 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 Ƶ Opera. The orchestra also occasionally serves as a laboratory orchestra for composition and conducting students.
The following links below provide additional information about the Ƶ Symphony Orchestra. Please contact Dr. Paul Sanho Kim if you are interested in joining!
Ƶ Side by Side with the Virginia Symphony
The Ƶ 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's Russian Easter Overture, led by music director Paul Kim; Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, conducted by percussion instructor David Walker and featuring the Ƶ Percussion Ensemble; and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, led by VSO's Benjamin Rous.
Mahler Symphony No. 1, side by side with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2017
