College Orchestra
The MCO is a full symphony orchestra that explores the exciting, dynamic repertoire of the last two and a half centuries, from Bach and Mozart to Adams, Lutoslawski, and the present day.
We welcome students from all disciplines and concentration from across campus—you do not need to be a music major to participate. Faculty and staff, community members, and professional players are also welcome when possible.
The orchestra presents two concerts a year and is involved in special events. Over the last two decades, the orchestra has performed with professional soloists from the Metropolitan Opera, as well as the College Choir, Concerto Competition winners, in Theater Department productions, radio performances, and in festivals and symposia.
Rehearsals - Fall 2026
Sunday and Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Robison Hall, Mahaney Arts Center
Thursday, September 17 from 7:00-9:00pm will be a sight-reading and information session. Please come with your instrument! In addition to making some music, there will be general information for everyone, news about the group, scheduling the fall concert, and what we’re looking forward to this semester, followed by auditions. Auditions are simple, low-stress, and required for everyone including new and returning members.
Audition Guidelines
Auditions will be in-person at MAC 221 on Sept. 17 and 20
Music for auditions
- Please prepare two brief contrasting excerpts from your instrument’s solo literature that demonstrate your expressive and technical capabilities. For example, a fast, technical excerpt and a slow, expressive one. While ideally they are from different pieces, excerpts can be from the same piece—just make sure they are as contrasting as possible.
Orchestra for Course Credit
Orchestra is also a class that students register for during their second semester of full participation (one credit). The information for class credit has changed slightly this year, and will be covered in the information session.
Orchestra Spring Updates
Feenix Grants!
We’re so pleased to announce the start of a grants program called Feenix! Feenix is a new program harnessing your talent, motivation, and curiosity to go higher and better faster. Feenix aims to create opportunities for student musicians to extend, enhance, and build their musical training and skills through funding student-driven and student-centered projects in performance.
Considering attending a music summer program? Looking for advanced lessons with teachers not immediately available in the Vermont area? Trying to attend or participate in a masterclass? Have another idea related to improving your performance skills? Feenix can help with all of these things and more. Grants to cover program fees, lessons, masterclass attendance, and travel costs (even internationally) and more are available.
We just awarded the first grant for one of our musicians to attend a summer program in Berlin, Germany! More information coming on our website, so stay tuned!
Our first-ever collaboration with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra!
Last weekend on April 18, 2026, in Burlington, VT a quartet of orchestra musicians was invited to join the VSO’s chamber music concert called Jukebox. They performed works by Dvorak and Sorensen as part of a program centered on Americana roots. It was a smash success! The upshot? The orchestra has been invited to collaborate with them yearly as part of their chamber series, working and performing alongside professional musicians. Congrats to the quartet members, and we’re looking forward to more exciting programs!
Recent Repertoire
Abrams The Bronze Horseman Overture (premiere)
Beethoven Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral”
Berlioz Romeo and Juliette: Scene d’amour
Borodin Symphony No. 2
Chabrier Espana
Copland Billy the Kid Suite, An Outdoor Overture
DeBouter Piano Concerto (premiere)
Debussy Nocturnes, Premiere Rhapsodie
DvorakSymphony No. 8, Symphony No. 9 (From the New World)
Elgar Enigma Variations
Franck Symphony
Herrmann Vertigo Suite
JohnsonThe Hidden Mountains (premiere)
Korngold Overture to The Sea Hawk
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 5, “Reformation” (revised 1830 version)
Mozart Magic Flute Overture, Bassoon Concerto
Mussorgsky/RavelPictures at an Exhibition
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
Schumann Symphony No. 1, “Spring”
Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty Suite
VerdiNabucco Overture
Weber Der Freischutz Overture
Wagner Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III, Siegfried Idyll, Prelude to Die Meistersinger
Contact
Music Director: Evan Bennett, bennett@middlebury.edu
President: Sophie Liebman, orchestra@middlebury.edu
Treasurer: Arlo Nicholas, Elliot Persell
String Librarians: Crosby Woods, Adrian Toland
Wind Librarian: Miya Cheng
Social Chairs: Katie Marthage, Gakuto Kondo