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Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts

Orchestras

Symphony Orchestra

The Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra performs some of the most challenging music in the orchestral repertoire. Any undergraduate or graduate student with orchestral experience is welcome to audition.

The ISU Symphony Orchestra performs six complete concert cycles each academic year, including the annual choral program in October; the Music for the Holidays concerts in December; a Concerto-Aria concert featuring the School of Music's finest performers chosen from the annual competition; and the annual opera or musical, produced in conjunction with the Illinois State University School of Theatre, Dance, and Film.

Philharmonia String Orchestra

The School of Music is pleased to add a second string orchestra, the Philharmonia. The Philharmonia is for non-major students who want to continue playing an advanced high school level string-only repertoire.

The ensemble rehearses three times a week and performs two concerts each semester.

  • Rehearsal Times

     

  • Performances

    Two concerts each semester.

How to Join

All students regardless of major are welcome to audition for one of our orchestras.

Learn How to Audition

Annual Concerto-Aria Competition

Three finalists from each applied area (brass/percussion, keyboard, strings, voice, and woodwind) will appear in the Concerto-Aria Finals Competition. Two winners will be selected to perform in the ISU Symphony Orchestra's annual Concerto-Aria concert.

Previously Performed Works

  • Richard Strauss' Death and Transfiguration

  • Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3, Organ Symphony

  • Stravinsky’s Sacre du Printemps, Petrouchka, Firebird Suite, Apollo musagetes

  • Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 5, and Symphony No. 9

  • Copland's Appalachian Spring and Music for the Theater

  • Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana

  • Mozart’s Requiem

  • William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast

  • Verdi’s Messa de Requiem

  • Shostakovich Symphonies No. 5, 10

Contact Us

For more information regarding the Illinois State University Orchestras, fill out the contact form or email Samuel Chen.

News and Events

See what is happening in the School of Music.

A holiday themed image with pine branches, sleigh bells, sheet music.

Music for the Holidays, December 6-7

Illinois State University’s Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and the School of Music are excited to bring the sounds of the holidays to the Center for the Performing Arts in three concerts December 6 and 7. On Saturday, December 6, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Illinois State University Symphony Orchestra, Civic Chorale, 

Read more Music news

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Marching forward: Veteran and music professor Dr. Andy Rummel reflects on service, music, legacy
A concert stage set with percussion instruments

Percussion Ensemble fall concert, November 9, 2025
Three trumpeter perform for an audience. Grecian architecture is visible in the background.

Illinois State University School of Music faculty reflect on summer highlights
Dec6

Music For the Holidays: Symphony Orchestra, Treble Choir, and Civic Chorale featuring String Project children

12/6/25 at 3:00 PMCenter for the Performing Arts
Dec6

Music For the Holidays: Symphony Orchestra, Treble Choir, and Civic Chorale

12/6/25 at 7:00 PMCenter for the Performing Arts
Mar31

Fine Arts Panel

3/31/26 at 3:00 PMCenter for the Visual Arts

View all Orchestra events