Orchestras
The University of Northern Colorado Orchestra program draws upon a rich and well-founded tradition of excellence, and has developed into a program that has received national and international recognition.
University Symphony Orchestra
The UNC Orchestra has been awarded “Best U.S. College Orchestra” in DownBeat magazine’s Annual Student Music Awards in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as "Best U.S. College Classical Ensemble" in 2010. The orchestra has also represented the U.S. in The International Cycle of University Orchestras in Zaragoza, Spain in 2003 and 2006.
Instrumental students are assigned to Symphony, Chamber and Opera Orchestras according to their abilities and needs. The orchestras rehearse three times each week and present a full concert and opera series. UNC Orchestras have also appeared regularly at Colorado State Music Educators conventions.
Campus String Orchestra
You don't have to be a music major to join!
This string orchestra is open to anyone with at least a few years of experience playing a bowed string instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass). Our repertoire will change every semester, we will always play a variety of musical styles, and we will have at least one concert each semester.
Non-music majors are welcome! Music majors are also encouraged to join, especially on secondary instruments. No audition is required. Please bring your instrument (or plan to rent one from the School of Music) and join us on the first Thursday of class to see if this is the right ensemble for you.
We look forward to playing great music with you!
Course: MUS 268/468/668
Time: Thursdays, 5pm-7pm
Location: Frasier Hall Room 63
Western States Honor Orchestra Festival
Each year, the University of Northern Colorado hosts the Western States Honor Orchestra Festival here in Greeley, Colorado—a celebration of orchestral and solo string playing for advanced high school musicians. New this, the Western States Honor Orchestra will be at the all new Campus Commons.
We will form a conductorless chamber orchestra and symphony orchestra from the invited string players; wind and percussion musicians from the award-winning UNC Symphony Orchestra join these ensembles. Two days of intense rehearsal follow, interspersed with workshops, coachings, lectures, and masterclasses by UNC string faculty.
We invite advanced high school string players to send audition audio files for this festival. We hope that you will consider joining this wonderful music event that is sure to give inspiration to you for the entire year.
We ask that each director nominate his/her high school string players that he/she feels would most benefit from participation in the festival. Students that are homeschooled are also welcome to audition.
Learn more about the Western States Honor Orchestra Festival
