The University of Kansas Symphony Orchestra (KUSO) is the primary orchestral organization in the School of Music and the central ensemble for music majors in the string area. Membership

in KUSO is open to all qualified students at the university, regardless of major, by audition at the beginning of each year.

KUSO offers a comprehensive course of orchestral studies and performs standard orchestral repertoire spanning from the Baroque period to the 21st century, including premieres of new works. In addition to large-scale symphonic programming, each season includes performances of major solo works featuring faculty, students, and leading guest artists who recently have included Blake Pouliot, Joshua Roman and Simone Porter. Additional opportunities for students include collaboration with KU Theatre and KU Opera productions, and the immensely popular annual Holiday Vespers concerts in which the orchestra combines with KU Choirs. KUSO’s concert stage is the Lied Center of Kansas and the group regularly performs at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Students also have the opportunity to compete in the university-wide annual concerto competition.

Learn how to join at music.ku.edu/orchestra

KU ORCHESTRA AND STRINGS

KU STRINGS FACULTY

Carolyn Watson - Director of Orchestral Activities Hannah Collins - String Area Coordinator, professor of celloDavid Colwell - professor of violinBoris Vayner - professor of viola Richard Ryan - lecturer of double bassErin Wood - lecturer of harp

The KU Strings faculty is comprised of musicians who are nationally and internationally recognized as teachers, performers, researchers, arrangers, and recording artists. They have extensive experience in symphonic literature, chamber music, and solo repertoire and are highly involved in organizing concerts, master classes, and collaborative projects at the School of Music. KU Strings alumni have gone on to important teaching and performance careers, serving as artistic leaders both regionally and across the globe.

KU ORCHESTRA AND STRINGS

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.

“I never expected to learn and grow as much as I have in the Orchestra and Strings program.” Casey Gregory Violin Performance ‘17 | McPherson, KS