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 annual University concerto competition as well as the Orchestra Festival.
The University Community Orchestra opens its doors to well over one hundred players a term, including UWM students and community members ranging in age from 12-90+.
Please fill out the ensemble interest form below to join any of our music ensembles, or if you have any questions.
Symphony Orchestra
Comprised of graduate and undergraduate students, 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. Membership is by audition.
In addition to a six-concert subscription series, the Orchestra collaborates annually with UWM Choirs and Opera Theatre, as well as presents an annual Concerto Competition Concert featuring student winners. UWM’s 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.
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
Open to all UWM students during the first week of fall semester. Audition requirements include a standard solo of your choice (approximately 3 minutes). For music majors and minors, additional band and orchestral excerpts and sight-reading may be required.
Large Ensemble Auditions
The 2023-24 audition form and excerpts for Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Band, and Wind Ensemble are found below. Updated content is typically available around August 1 each year.
University Community Orchestra
The University Community Orchestra (UCO) is designed to enrich your life through the performing arts.
Auditions & Membership
Open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels ages 12 and up. Musicians do not need to audition to be in the orchestra but should be able to read music and enjoy playing classical symphonic repertoire.
First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Returning students should use their PAWS account. Music majors cannot take this course in place of their assigned ensemble.
Community members should register through the School of Continuing Education.
Music Programs
Music studios 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
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.
- Professor Emerita, PSOA Music
- mdeutsch@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4609
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 354
- Associate Professor, Instrumental Conducting
- Director, Orchestral Activities
- kimjy@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6063
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 354
Entrance Auditions
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 Outreach Coordinator
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Coordinator
Tim Noonan, tpnoonan@uwm.edu
Student Services
Contact Form | 414-229-4763