Welcome to our FAQ! Feel free to continue reading and learn more about the WMSO…
How big is the William & Mary Symphony Orchestra?
WMSO is a full symphony orchestra with just over 100 members in the 2025-26 season consisting of strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and more!
What is the time commitment, and can you get credit for playing?
WMSO rehearses every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00pm throughout the semester and performs five concerts per year. If accepted into the ensemble, you will be able to register for a one-credit class (MUSC E06) in the Music Department that also fulfills COLL requirements (6ESO, ACTV, HIPP, IN).
The Symphony maintains a collegiate but professional atmosphere during rehearsals, starting and ending on time. Our conductor, Professor Grandis, emails a detailed rehearsal schedule for the upcoming week specifying the order and length of rehearsed pieces. You are also encouraged to join WMSO on its annual spring tour.
Where does WMSO rehearse and perform?
Rehearsals are held in Music 116 in the Music Arts Center, home to W&M’s Music Department. The Symphony performs in the Concert Hall, also in the Music Arts Center.
There are five annual concerts for the ensemble:
I. Family Weekend Concert: A prism-style concert shared with choirs and other music ensembles around mid-October.
II. Halloween Concert: Standard repertoire, held in late October.
III. Winter Concert: Symphony’s pops concert, held early December.
IV. Concerto Concert: Features concerto & composition competition winners, held mid-March.
V. Season Finale Concert: Large symphonic work(s), held early May.
Does WMSO travel?
Yes! In 2001, WMSO embarked on its first international tour to Italy and Sicily. The Symphony has continued travelling abroad to destinations like Paris, Vienna, and Prague. Domestically, the WMSO has toured in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. More information on both our international and domestic tour can be found below.
What does WMSO play?
Music from past seasons can be found in our archive. Our repertoire tend to be from the Romantic period, 20th, and 21st centuries.
The Symphony has collaborated with guest artists including violinist Charles Castleman (Carmen Fantasy), violinist Pavel Ilyashov (Glazunov), cellist Neal Cary (Elgar), saxophonist Gary Louie (Tomasi), and more!
Lastly, the Symphony hosts an annual concerto competition as well as a composition competition open to any undergraduate studying with a member of the Applied Music Faculty. The winners perform their piece alongside the orchestra during the Concerto Concert.
How competitive is it to get in, and how are parts & seating assigned?
All present and past members must audition to join the Symphony, though returning members often remain in the ensemble. Selection for any section can be competitive; the number of openings for winds and percussion varies depending on the repertoire chosen year. The number of openings for strings often depends on space avaliable on stage, and how many spots opened from graduates. Spend time preparing your music over the summer, and remember to bring your best self to the audition!
Additional musicians may be needed to fill a vacancy left by regular members studying abroad or to augment a section for a large orchestral work. Typically, alternate players are accepted as regular members the following season, so mid-year auditions are a great way to be heard and added to the list of potential candidates for your section!
Seating choices are made at the discretion of our conductor, Professor Grandis. If needed, he may decide to rotate part assignments between winds, adjust the seating order of strings, or appoint co-principals.
How do I audition?
Auditions are held in late August in the Rehearsal Room/Concert Hall of the Music Building, a few days before the fall semester begins. You can find the dates and specified requirements for auditions here; time slots are determined on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you are looking to audition mid-semester or at the start of the spring semester, contact Professor Grandis at dfgrandis@wm.edu explaining your situation and he will determine if an audition may take place.
Is there more to WMSO than just music-making?
Yes! While WMSO is headed by our conductor, Professor Grandis, much of the Symphony’s logistics and events are managed by the all-student Orchestra Board. Members of the ensemble are encouraged to attend social events and mixers, and bond over meals after rehearsals. The Symphony brings together students of all academic years, majors, and backgrounds, and the experience itself has played a part in many friendships.
We hope to see you next semester!
Was there something not answered in the FAQ you’d like to ask us?
Feel free to reach out to wrklauer@wm.edu, or get in touch with our conductor, Professor Grandis, at dfgrandis@wm.edu!