Whether you are an aspiring performer, music educator, or simply looking to continue playing your instrument, the primary goal of all of our performing ensembles is to strive for the highest performance standards while maintaining a welcoming environment. We have ensembles for musicians at all levels.

Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra Seminario! Concert

Video of Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra Seminario! Concert

Alexander Kahn Headshot
Dr. Alexander Kahn, Director of Orchestral Activities
kahnale@sonoma.edu
(717) 698-0840

Symphony Orchestra

Course Information: MUS 328 Symphony Orchestraa, 1 unit of credit

Meeting Dates: Mondays and Wednesday, 4:00-6:00 pm in Weill Hall

Description: The Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra is comprised of the finest string, wind, brass, and percussion students at Sonoma State and of musicians from the broader Sonoma County community. Under the direction of Dr. Alexander Kahn, the Symphony Orchestra performs a diverse array of orchestral literature, ranging from the Baroque period to world premieres and from classical repertoire to film, opera, and educational works. Student compositions are chosen through an annual composition competition. Soloists are regularly featured, including guest artists, faculty soloists, and student soloists chosen through the annual concerto competition. In addition to performing four concerts each year in the beautiful confines of Weill Hall, the Symphony Orchestra performs regularly on tour throughout California and beyond.

Participation: Membership is the Orchestra is by audition, and is open to all students regardless of major, and members of the community. String majors focusing on classical performance and/or instrumental music education are required to participate in the Orchestra every semester while in residence at SSU. Wind, brass, and percussion majors focusing on classical performance and/or instrumental music education are required to participate in either the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, or Symphony Orchestra every semester while in residence at SSU. Students may participate in more than one ensemble.

Auditions: Membership is through audition only and is open to all SSU students regardless of major as well as community members. Auditions are held during the first week of each semester. Auditions consists of major and minor scales and orchestral excerpts. Audition information can be found on our ensemble auditions page.

Instruments: A limited number of university-owned instruments are available to students free of charge. To request an instrument, please contact the Music Librarian.

Concert dates: Please visit our 2023-24 Concert Season page and our Past Concert Seasons page for information on our previous and upcoming seasons.

Support us: The Sonoma State Symphony Orchestra is generously funded through the Department of Music at Sonoma State University. However, donations are gratefully received to support our various initiatives, including our annual Concerto Competition, Composition Competition, Family Concert series, and our Lesson Scholarship Fund for Non-Majors. Please consider making a gift to support us! For more information please contact Dr. Alexander Kahn and/or Kris Berger, Director of Development for the School of Arts and Humanities.