UB Symphony Orchestra

The UB Symphony Orchestra–comprised of nearly 90 UB students of a variety of majors, professors and community members–is conducted by Music Director Rachel Lauber. The orchestra presents at least three public concerts in Lippes Concert Hall each year. Membership in the UB Symphony Orchestra is open to all UB students, faculty, and community members by audition. Auditions take place during the first week of classes of each semester.

Past programs have included music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Beethoven, Mahler, Bates, Joyce, Brahms, Toch, Barber, and Bartok.

UBSO will be following the following protocols for the upcoming Fall 2021 semester:

• All students must have their own personal folding stand. 
• All students will have their own copy of the music there will be no shared parts.
• Students will rehearse three feet apart.
• All students will be masked during rehearsal.
• All wind and brass players will need bell covers.
• Appropriate repertoire will be chosen.

Please view our concert calendar for the latest information on upcoming events. 

Membership in the UB Symphony Orchestra is open to all UB students, faculty, and community members by audition. 

REQUIREMENTS

1. Please complete and submit the Audition Request Google Form.

2. Please prepare two contrasting sections of a piece that you have worked on in the past. 

3. Sign up for an audition timeslot on the Google Doc. Auditions for the fall 2021 semester will be held on Monday, August 30 via Zoom. 

UB students who would like to participate in the orchestra are required to register for one of the following classes for the Fall 2021semester:  

• Undergraduate Non-Music Major: MUS 138, 2 credits (Course #: 15041)
• Undergraduate: MUS 338, 2 credits (Course #: 13515)
• Graduate: MUS 538, 2 credits (Course #: 15749)

The orchestra rehearses in the Center for the Arts Mainstage (unless otherwise noted) on Monday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

UB students in the UBSO orchestra are strongly encouraged to take instrumental lessons with the distinguished faculty of the UB Music Department, including members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. When completing the audition request form, please select "Non-major Lessons & Concert Band/Orchestra."

OFFICIAL RULES

Contestants must be current UB Students enrolled in a Music Department large ensemble. Exceptions for vocalists, pianists, and other non-symphonic instrumentalists must be approved, on a case-by-case basis, by both the Music Director of the UB Symphony and the Chair of the Music Department.

Students may perform with an accompanist, though they are not required to do so. The Department cannot guarantee the availability of accompanists, and contestants interested in obtaining accompanists should direct their requests to Eric Huebner, Associate Professor (Piano Performance).

Competition repertoire may be either single pieces or isolated excerpts/movements of large-scale works. The total duration of music to be performed must not exceed 15 minutes.

Appropriate repertoire should employ orchestral accompaniments of a standard suitable for a college-level ensemble. All decisions concerning repertoire are subject to the final approval of the Music Director of the UB Symphony Orchestra, Rachel Lauber. All repertoire must be submitted for approval prior to the competition.

Any exception to these rules must be approved beforehand by the Chair of the Music Department.

For further information regarding the UB Symphony Orchestra, please contact: