The University of Memphis Symphony Orchestra is the largest student orchestra in the Mid-South to offer performance and study opportunity for music majors from Bachelor to Doctoral degrees and for non-majors. The UMSO consists of 85 students. Approximately two-thirds are undergraduate and one-third are graduate students. Professor Pu-Qi Jiang, D.M.A., has been the director and principal conductor of UMSO since 2000.

Maestro Pu-Qi Jiang conducts the UMSO.

The orchestra performs at least two symphonic concerts on campus each semester. In addition to symphonic concerts, orchestra members perform in University Opera productions and have the opportunity to play with many professional organizations in Memphis and the Mid-South. Twelve former and current UMSO members are contracted to play with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and more than ten regularly play with other orchestras in the region.

The UMSO's repertoire includes compositions written for full orchestra, chamber orchestra, opera and concerto performances. Recent concerts have included Stravinsky�s The Rite of Spring, Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by C. M. von Weber, Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde and a number of works by Beethoven, Copland, Dvorak, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky and others.

Memphis Symphony Orchestra Maestro David Loebel, guest conductor with the UMSO

Iris Orchestra Maestro Michael Stern, guest conductor with the UMSO

The UMSO supports new music and young musicians by premiering student compositions, accompanying winners of the annual UM Soloists� Competition and offering significant podium time to conducting students. Most conducting students go on to professional careers as conductors, professors, opera coaches and D.M.A. candidates.

Maestro David Loebel, music director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and Maestro Michael Stern, music director of the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra and the Iris Chamber Orchestra, regularly lead rehearsals, seminars, master-classes and concerts with the UMSO.

Many members of the UMSO have joined the School's orchestral concert tours and have performed in European countries. In May 2007, the group toured in China and performed at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. The UMSO plans to go on international concert tours to Europe in 2010 and to China in 2011.

Positions in the UMSO are filled by audition at the beginning of each semester. A limited number of scholarships are available. For more information, please contact the conductor, Dr. Pu-Qi Jiang by email or at 901-678-3775.