2025-2026: The American Spirit
The Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra is excited to feature several American works throughout its 2025-26 season to celebrate the United States turning 250 in 2026. Our season opening āFables and Fairy Talesā concert will feature local composer Anne Neikirkās tone poem Fables, followed by fantasy-filled music from Ravelās Mother Goose, Mendelssohnās Midsummer Nightās Dream, and Stravinskyās Firebird. We are also excited to welcome Jacob Harrison from Texas State University as a guest conductor. In November we collaborate with ¾«¶« Opera to bring to life the endearing Christmas love story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, through a beautiful production of David Conteās opera of the same name. Decemberās joint concert with the ¾«¶« Wind Ensemble will feature our string orchestra playing music by John Williams, along with Rebecca Clarke, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Gustav Holst. In March we will feature Alan Hovhanessās transcendent Symphony No. 2 āMysterious Mountain,ā as well as other works by Amy Beach and William Grant Still. Our final concert in April will feature Mozartās Requiem in collaboration with Nancy Klein and the ¾«¶« Concert Choir. Whether as a participant as an audience member, join us to experience musicāboth familiar and not so familiarāthat highlights the multi-faceted nature of the American community and beyond.
About the Orchestra
Founded in 1977, the Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra (¾«¶«SO) performs works from the standard classical and contemporary repertoire for full orchestra. It is a fantastic opportunity to interact with other passionate student musicians who work together and challenge each other to make music of the highest quality possible.
¾«¶«SO is open to all students, faculty, and staff at Old Dominion University by audition. Community members may also audition and are considered on an as-needed basis.
In addition to a diverse repertoire from all periods and styles, the ¾«¶«SO:
- features faculty soloists from ¾«¶« and beyond
- hosts a department-wide Young Artist Competition in the fall with the winners appearing in the spring
- collaborates with leading high school orchestras in the region
Several concerts are performed each season featuring both symphonic and string orchestra literature, often in conjunction with the Concert Choir and ¾«¶« Opera. The orchestra also occasionally serves as a laboratory orchestra for composition and conducting students.
The following links below provide additional information about the ¾«¶« Symphony Orchestra. Please contact Dr. Paul Sanho Kim if you are interested in joining!
¾«¶« Side by Side with the Virginia Symphony
The Old Dominion University Symphony Orchestra teamed up with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 2018 with a side-by-side "Russian Perspectives" concert. Works included Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture, led by music director Paul Kim; Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, conducted by percussion instructor David Walker and featuring the ¾«¶« Percussion Ensemble; and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, led by VSO's Benjamin Rous.
Mahler Symphony No. 1, side by side with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2017
