��ֱ����

2025-2026: The American Spirit

The Old ��ֱ���� 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 “Fables and Fairy Tales” concert will feature local composer Anne Neikirk’s tone poem Fables, followed by fantasy-filled music from Ravel’s Mother Goose, Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Stravinsky’s Firebird. We are also excited to welcome Jacob Harrison from Texas State University as a guest conductor. In November we collaborate with ODU Opera to bring to life the endearing Christmas love story, The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry, through a beautiful production of David Conte’s opera of the same name. December’s joint concert with the ODU 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 Hovhaness’s transcendent Symphony No. 2 “Mysterious Mountain,” as well as other works by Amy Beach and William Grant Still. Our final concert in April will feature Mozart’s Requiem in collaboration with Nancy Klein and the ODU Concert Choir. Whether as a participant as an audience member, join us to experience music—both familiar and not so familiar—that highlights the multi-faceted nature of the American community and beyond.

About the Orchestra

Founded in 1977, the Old ��ֱ���� University Symphony Orchestra (ODUSO) 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.

ODUSO is open to all students, faculty, and staff at Old ��ֱ���� 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 ODUSO:

• features faculty soloists from ODU 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 ODU Opera. The orchestra also occasionally serves as a laboratory orchestra for composition and conducting students.

The following links below provide additional information about the ODU Symphony Orchestra. Please contact Dr. Paul Sanho Kim if you are interested in joining!

• Conductor
• Rehearsals/Auditions
• Season Calendar
• Russell Stanger String Quartet Scholarship
• Young Artists Competition