Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Tiffany Lu during UF Symphony Orchestra rehearsal. Photo by Jane Kozhnikova.
About the University Symphony Orchestra
The University of Florida Symphony Orchestra is the University of Florida’s flagship orchestral ensemble. Founded in October 1912 with ten members, UFSO has grown to a full size symphonic ensemble with over ninety musicians and become a core of the School of Music. It features music majors, minors, and non-majors at both graduate and undergraduate levels and represents a critical academic and cultural cross-section of both the School of Music and the University at large.
The UFSO is directed by Tiffany Lu, who has led the ensemble since 2022; notable performances in this time include Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10, and the UF Opera production of Carmen. The UFSO performs three concert programs per semester and collaborates regularly with the UF Choirs and UF Opera, as well as supporting the annual UF Concerto Competition. Past directors include Dr. Raymond Chobaz, who from 1982-2022 led the orchestra in numerous collaborations with ballet and opera productions, television and radio broadcasts, multi-media artists, and composition commissions, earning the orchestra a 2013 ASCAP Foundation Nissim Special Distinction Award for innovative programing.
The University Orchestra rehearses in the Steinbrenner Band Hall on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:55 pm to 3:50 pm (periods 7 and 8). Auditions are required for all members and held each semester.
In the course catalog UFSO is identified as MUN 1210/3213 (underclassmen/upperclassmen) or MUN6215 (graduate students).
Want to join the UF Symphony Orchestra?
The next opportunity to join the orchestra will be for the Spring 2026 semester. If you are interested in joining UFSO, please check this space in late November. Audition excerpts will be posted at that time.
Fill out the sign up form below to be placed on our email list to receive any audition information as it becomes available. (Even if you have filled out this form before, you should fill it out again to be kept in the loop about audition sign-ups and excerpts for each future semester, especially if you have not previously been involved with UFSO.)
Join the UF Symphony Orchestra
If you are a non-major wind/brass/percussion player, ensemble auditions are handled by the studio teachers of each instrument. You can find our faculty in the music directory or email lu.tiffany@ufl.edu to make a connection with the appropriate professor.
We sincerely look forward to hearing all of you and welcoming you to the UFSO family.
Gator Philharmonic Orchestra
Formed in Spring of 2025, the Gator Philharmonic is a club orchestra open to anyone within the UF community who plays a symphonic instrument. No auditions are required and all are welcome! Non-majors, graduate students and faculty, musicians wanting practice on secondary instruments, whatever your situation may be, if you want to play symphonic music and have an instrument, we want to see you.
For the Fall 2025 semester, we are meeting each week in MUB121 at 5:10pm. Our Fall concert will be November 12th, 2025 at 7:20pm in the University Auditorium.
Stay in tune
Don’t miss a beat! Join our mailing list and follow us to get the latest on concerts, campus events, and ways to get involved with the Gator Philharmonic Orchestra.
Faculty
Events
Nov 12, 2025
Nov 6, 2025
Sep 25, 2025
Feb 15, 2024