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.
Auditions & Membership
Open to UWM students and community members of all skill levels ages 12+. No audition is needed but musicians should be able to read music and enjoy playing classical symphonic and pops repertoire. Please register prior to the start of the session as no walk-ins are allowed. Enrollment is on a first come first served basis with an opportunity to be placed on a waiting list.
Students seeking college credit should register via PAWS by enrolling in one of the following: MUS 81 (non music majors), MUS 181 (music majors), MUS 781 (grad students). First-year and transfer students should register with their advisor during New Student Orientation. Music majors cannot take this in place of their assigned ensemble.
Non-credit students 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, Symphony Orchestra, University Community Orchestra
- kimjy@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6063
- Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts 354
Undergraduate Entrance Auditions
Music BA/BFA enrollment for Spring & Fall 2025.
• December 6, 2024
• February 7, 2025
• February 17, 2025
• March 7, 2025
• April 4, 2025
Graduate Applications
Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after these dates will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester.
Undergraduate Programs
Kay Speidel, music-admission@uwm.edu
Graduate Programs
Tim Noonan, music-grad-admission@uwm.edu
General Info & Questions
Contact Form | 414-229-4763
