UI Symphony Orchestra
UI Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Kenny Lee
Conductor & Director of Orchestral Studies
University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra (UISO)
The University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the finest university orchestras in the country. In addition to performing major symphonic repertoire, the UISO is known for its leadership in premiering and promoting new orchestral works.
The orchestra provides students with intensive, professional-level training and presents several concerts each year. Recent performances have included works by Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Gershwin, and Beethoven, alongside music by living composers such as Unsuk Chin, Gabriella Smith, Jessie Montgomery, and Anna Clyne.
UISO typically rehearses three times per week and performs two to four concerts each semester. While the ensemble is primarily intended for music majors, highly skilled non-majors are welcome to audition.
UISO audition process
UISO Audition Process
Auditions for the University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra (UISO) will be held August 25–26, 2025. Auditions are required for all music majors. Advanced non-music majors are also encouraged to audition. Non-majors not selected for UISO will be considered for placement in the Campus Symphony Orchestra.
Fall 2025 UISO Audition Repertoire:
If you are auditioning for UISO for the first time, you will also need to prepare a solo piece of your choice (no more than 1 minute) along with the required excerpts.
Non-string players are assigned to UISO by their studio teachers.
Students interested in auditioning for CSO (Campus Symphony Orchestra for non-majors) should email music-orchestra@uiowa.edu to schedule an audition.
Campus Symphony Orchestra
Designed specifically for non-music majors who wish to continue playing their instrument while studying at the University, audition will be required for winds and percussion as the number of players is limited (a scale and a short excerpt of your choice). We will welcome up to three flutes, three oboes, three clarinets, three bassoons, five horns, two trumpets, three trombones, two tenor and one bass), one tuba, one timpani, and two percussion players. No audition is required for strings to be admitted into the ensemble, however, there will be a short audition for seating arrangement only (a scale and short excerpt of your choice). This unique experience includes students from diverse academic pursuits throughout the university.
The CSO performs one concert per semester and various community service-oriented performances on a request basis. CSO is conducted by graduate conducting majors. This group meets on Tuesdays, from 6-7:20 p.m. in VOX 2400.
Join us and bring a friend!
CSO audition process
Students interested in auditioning for CSO (Campus Symphony Orchestra for non-majors) should sign up here to schedule an audition.
Fall 2025
Fall #1
October 1, 7:30pm
Voxman Concert Hall
Brittany J. Green - TESTIFY! (Midwest Premiere)
W. A. Mozart - Concerto for Flute, Harp, and Orchestra
Nicole Esposito, Flute
Cagatay Akyol, Harp
S. Rachmaninoff - Symphonic Dances
Fall #2
November 5, 7:30pm
Voxman Concert Hall
A. Dvorak - Carnival Overture
Nicky Sohn - The World According To… (World Premiere)
Jamie Clark, Cello
C. Saint-Saens - Symphony No. 3, “Organ”
Gregory Hand, Organ
Annual Children’s Concert
October 30, 9:30am and 11:00am
Voxman Concert Hall
Featuring students with the Preucil School
Selections from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more
+ Annual Halloween Costume Contest!
Fall Opera
November 13, 7:30pm
November 14, 7:30pm
November 15, 7:30pm
Voxman Stark Opera Theatre
Steven Stucky/Jeremy Denk - The Classical Style: An Opera (of Sorts)
UISO + Choir
December 6, 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
G. F. Handel - Messiah
Spring 2026
Spring #1
February 20, 7:30pm
Voxman Concert Hall
L. Liebermann - Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, Op.145 (Iowa Premiere)
Kenneth Tse, Saxophone
B. Dylan/orch. G. Kahane - The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
G. Kahane - The Trolley Problem (World Premiere Arrangement)
G. Kahane - Veda (1 Pierce Dr.) from The Ambassador
G. Kahane - Empire Liquor Mart (9172 S. Figueroa St.) from The Ambassador
Gabriel Kahane, Voice
Spring #2
March 31, 7:30pm
Voxman Concert Hall
Concerto/Aria Winners + Respighi
Winners of the Concerto/Aria Competition
O. Respighi - Pines of Rome
Spring Opera
April 24, 7:30pm
April 25, 7:30pm
Hancher Auditorium
A. Menken - Hunchback of Notre Dame