Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Philharmonia

The Stanford Symphony Orchestra (MUSIC 160/160Z) and Stanford Philharmonia (MUSIC 160A/160AZ) provide outstanding opportunities for the practice and enjoyment of orchestral music, rehearsing and performing throughout the academic year. Most concerts are performed in Bing Concert Hall. Collaborative performances often take place with the Stanford Chamber Chorale, Stanford Symphony Chorus, University Singers, Stanford Wind Symphony, and Stanford Live. Membership in SSO and SP is open by audition to all Stanford students (undergraduate and graduate), medical students, Stanford staff and faculty, and members of the community of all ages, with priority given to Stanford students. Members do not have to major in music; in fact, fewer than 5% of SSO and SP members are music majors, with most orchestra members majoring in STEM fields. 

Stanford Summer Symphony

The Stanford Summer Symphony (MUSIC 160S/160SZ) takes place each year in July, with rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Dinkelspiel Auditorium and a concert in Bing Concert Hall. Students in Stanford’s summer programs constitute the core membership of SSS, with Stanford students (undergraduate and graduate), medical students, Stanford staff and faculty, and members of the community making up the rest of the orchestra, which generally has about 70 members. Membership is by audition, with auditions held in late June/early July just prior to the start of rehearsals. Stanford Summer Symphony will not take place in Summer 2021 because of continuing COVID-19 restrictions and is expected to resume in July 2022.

MUSIC 160/160Z Stanford Symphony Orchestra & MUSIC 160A/160AZ Stanford Philharmonia – Spring 2021

In Spring 2021, Stanford Philharmonia will rehearse in person on Tuesday evenings in Bing Concert Hall. Because of current COVID restrictions, membership in SP will be limited to strings and keyboard, with a total of approximately 25 musicians. Membership, by audition, will be open to all undergraduate and graduate students living on campus, plus faculty and staff. According to current guidelines, undergraduate and graduate students who are living off-campus and do not have clearance to come on campus will not be allowed to participate in SP this spring. Community members also are not permitted to join SP currently, but will be welcome to audition once COVID restrictions are lifted. Use this link to visit the SP Canvas site.
• MUSIC 160A/160AZ, Section 1  Stanford Philharmonia  Tu 7:00-9:30pm

Stanford Symphony Orchestra ensembles will continue to use JackTrip in Spring 2021 as in winter quarter. Membership in SSO Strings and SSO Winds will be open, by audition, to students, faculty, staff, and community members with good Internet connections who live within the viable JackTrip range of 500 miles from campus. SSO Strings will be primarily a string orchestra of about 15-20 musicians, possibly also with harp and/or keyboard. SSO Winds, with approximately 12-15 musicians, will include flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, and possibly percussion. Additional wind instruments may be added depending on student interest and suitable repertoire. Led by Professor Paul Phillips, SSO Strings and SSO Winds will rehearse using JackTrip throughout Spring Quarter. Professor Chris Chafe, the originator of JackTrip, will help guide SSO members in the use of JackTrip technology. Use this link to visit the SSO Canvas site.
• MUSIC 160/160Z, Section 1   SSO Strings  M Th 7:00-8:15pm  
• MUSIC 160/160Z, Section 2   SSO Winds  M Th 8:15-9:30pm

If interested in joining SP or SSO, please fill out the Orchestra Participation Form and contact Professor Phillips at orchestra@stanford.edu asap to let him know of your interest. All students who join SP or SSO are expected to register for MUSIC 160 or 160A. Those who prefer to take the zero-unit version of SSO or SP are asked to fill out this form to receive the permission code, which is needed in order to register for MUSIC 160Z or 160AZ.

Winter Quarter Livestreamed Concerts

In Winter 2021, Stanford Orchestras collaborated online through JackTrip to stream live performances. See the Stanford Symphony Orchestra’s performance:  Music Recording · Full Recording · Program Booklet. For more information on our 2020-2021 Season, and other winter quarter performances, visit our 2020-2021 Season page!