University of Arizona
Arizona Arts
College of Fine Arts - School of Music

UA Orchestras

About the UA Orchestras

UAFFSOM Vertical Color Orchestras

The University of Arizona School of Music boasts two orchestras:  The Arizona Symphony Orchestra and The UArizona Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Arizona Symphony, the school’s pre-professional orchestral ensemble, performs six challenging concert programs and collaborates each semester with the UA Opera Theatre. Composed primarily of music majors, the orchestra is open to qualified non majors and members of the UA community. Rehearsals are M/W/F afternoons from 2-3:50. Students admitted by audition to the Arizona Symphony will register for MUS 200-O, 400-O, or 500-O: Section 1. Contact Director of Orchestral Activities Dr. Thomas Cockrell for more information. To be considered for the Arizona Symphony please sign up for an audition above.
The UA Philharmonic Orchestra is composed of music majors, minors, non majors and UA community members. The Philharmonic is conducted by doctoral conducting students András Derecskei and Juan Montoya, under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Cockrell. Frequent sectional rehearsals lead by the Fred Fox Graduate String Quintet emphasize the improvement of technical and ensemble skills. “The Phil” meets T/Th, 7:30 – 9:30 P.M.  Students are admitted by audition to the UA Philharmonic will register for MUS 200-O, 400-O, or 500-O, Section 2. Please contact Dr. Thomas Cockrell for more information.

The Arizona Symphony Orchestra, the School of Music’s pre-professional orchestral ensemble, performs six challenging concert programs and collaborates frequently with the UA Opera Theatre. Composed primarily of music majors, the orchestra is open to qualified nonmajors and members of the UA community. Rehearsals are M/W/F afternoons from 2-3:50. Students admitted by audition to the Arizona Symphony will register for 400-O, or 500-O. Contact Director of Orchestral Activities Dr. Thomas Cockrell for more information.

Arizona Symphony Orchestra concerts of the 2025-26 Season Concerts at 7:30 in Crowder Hall and conducted by Dr. Thomas Cockrell unless noted.  Dr. Cockrell is on sabbatical leave, fall 2025.  Most UA Orchestras concerts are available to be enjoyed at home or on mobile devices, either live or at a later date.  Please see the UArizona School of Music YouTube channel.

  • Saturday, September 27:  Program to include Shostakovich Festival Overture and Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Espagnol. María Fátima Corona del Toro, conductor
  • Sunday, November 2 at 3:30 PM:  Program in collaboration with Symphonic Choir, Dr. Elizabeth Schauer.  Program to include Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5 “Reformation”,  María Fátima Corona del Toro, conductor
  • Saturday, December, 6:  Program to include Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in E minor,  María Fátima Corona del Toro, conductor
  • Saturday and Sunday, February 7 at 7:30 and 8 at 3:00:  Annual President’s Concert featuring winners of the Fred Fox School of Music Concerto Competition.  Program to conclude with Vaughan Williams Serenade to Music with Symphonic Choir
  • March 27 at 7:30 and 9 at 3:00:  UA Opera Theater, J Alexander Bennett, conductor.  Mozart Der Schauspieldirektor with the UA Philharmonic and Menotti The Telephone ASO chamber ensemble
  • Saturday, April 25  Program to be determined, Thomas Cockrell conductor

The UA Philharmonic Orchestra is composed of music majors, minors, nonmajors and UA community members. The Philharmonic is conducted by doctoral conducting student J Alexander Bennett under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Cockrell.  Frequent sectional rehearsals emphasize the improvement of technical and ensemble skills. Beginning fall semester 2023 “The Phil” meets M/W T/Th, 7:30 – 9:30 P.M.  Students are admitted by audition to the UA Philharmonic will register for MUS 400-P or MUS 500-P. Please contact Dr. Thomas Cockrell for more information.

UA Philharmonic concerts of the 2025-26 season, all at 7:30 PM in Crowder Hall   Most UA Orchestras concerts are available to be enjoyed at home or on mobile devices, either live or at a later date.

  • Wednesday, October 8
  • Wednesday, December 10
  • Wednesday, February 25
  • Friday, March 27 and Sunday March 29 at 3:00  UA Opera Theater Mozart  Der Schauspieldirektor
  • Wednesday, April 29