Orchestral Ensembles
Orchestras have long been a vital part of the Peck School of the Arts and the greater musical community of Milwaukee. Graduate and undergraduate music majors have the opportunity to intensely rehearse and perform concerts of a wide variety of orchestral repertoire. The Symphony Orchestra host an annual University concerto competition as well as the Orchestra Festival while the University Community Orchestra opens its doors to over one hundred players, including UWM students and community members ranging in age from 12-90.
At A Glance
| Ensemble | Members | Audition |
|---|---|---|
| Symphony Orchestra | Open to all UWM students | YES |
| University Community Orchestra | Open to all UWM students and community members | NO |
Please fill out the ensemble interest form below to join any of our music ensembles, or if you have any questions.
Symphony Orchestra
UWM’s Symphony Orchestra is comprised of graduate and undergraduate music majors. The ensemble performs a six-concert series and collaborates annually with UWM Choirs and Opera Theatre, as well as presents an annual Concerto Competition Concert featuring student winners. UWM Symphony Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, North Shore Performing Arts Center, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association State Conference, and was chosen as one of the two orchestras to perform at the National Conference by the College Orchestra Directors Association in Los Angeles.
The ensemble rehearses six hours a week and performs eight to twelve concerts each season. Members are introduced to the world’s great orchestra literature and their training prepares them for careers as professional musicians and music educators.
UWM Symphony Orchestra has been participating at annual Korea Day Festival, a major community events in Milwaukee and has performed with the renowned soloists including violinists Rachel Barton Pine, Chee-Yun, In Mo Yang (Frist prize winner of Paganini Competition), Clara-Jumi Kang (Gold medalist, Indianapolis Violin Competition), Bomsori Kim (Winner, Wieniawski Violin Competition), and Pianist Yeol- Eum Son (Silver Medalist, Van Cliburn & Tchaikovsky Competition), among others.
Auditions & Membership
Symphony Orchestra is open to all UWM students following an audition at the start of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approx. 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional excerpts and sight-reading may be required.
University Community Orchestra
The University Community Orchestra invites advanced beginners or skilled amateurs, ages 12 and older, to rehearse and perform together. It is open to anyone who can read music and enjoys playing classical symphonic and pops repertoire.
UCO is sponsored in part through a generous donation by The Sommersberger Group, Baird Private Wealth Management.
This opportunity is designed to enrich your life through the performing arts with sessions in fall, spring and summer. Instruments are required at the first rehearsal. Please visit the University Community Orchestra page within the School of Continuing Education for full dates and details.
Auditions & Membership
The University Community Orchestra is open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels ages 12 and up. Musicians do not need to audition, but should be able to read music and enjoy playing classical symphonic and pops repertoire.
You must be registered prior to the beginning of the session. No walk-ins are allowed. Participation is based on a first come-first served basis with an opportunity to be placed on a waiting list. First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Returning students should use their PAWS account.
Students seeking college credit should register by enrolling in one of the following: MUS 81 (non music majors), MUS 181 (music majors), MUS 781 (grad students). Music majors cannot take this in place of their assigned ensemble.
Students not seeking credit and community members should register through the School of Continuing Education.
Music Programs
Music studios and ensembles are connected to a variety of academic programs, including majors, minors, certificates and graduate programs. This is a full list of programs offered by the Department of Music.
Faculty & Directors
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Music faculty and staff please follow the link below.
- Associate Professor, Instrumental Conducting
- Director, Orchestral Activities, University Community Orchestra
- kimjy@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6063
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 354
- Associate Conductor, University Community Orchestra
- kak8@uwm.edu
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts
Entrance Audition
For Music BA, BFA and Masters programs in Spring and Fall 2024.
• December 1, 2023
• February 9, 2024
• February 19, 2024
• March 8, 2024
• April 5, 2024
Undergraduate Programs
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, tpnoonan@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763