Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestras
Whether your path leads through engineering labs, business classrooms or pre-med coursework, orchestra at Texas A&M keeps your artistry alive — challenging you musically while surrounding you with a community that feels like home.
The Texas A&M Orchestral Experience
The Texas A&M Orchestras are for-credit academic performance ensembles within the Music Activities program, drawing talented students from every college across the university.
With more than 200 orchestral string players across two large, ability-based ensembles, the program represents one of the most dynamic and engaged musical communities on campus. Each orchestra performs significant repertoire and presents two major public concerts each semester.
Students frequently remain in orchestra throughout their entire time at Texas A&M, citing it as a defining part of their college experience — a place where discipline, artistry and community intersect.
Ready to join us? Complete the Audition Request Form to begin the process, and explore the sections below for frequently asked questions and additional details about the orchestras.
Rehearsal Schedule and Commitment
Each orchestra rehearses either 2 or 3 times weekly and is offered as a for-credit academic course. Grading is 100% attendance-based, so no exams or performance-based testing. The commitment is intentionally structured to support students pursuing rigorous majors by providing a serious musical outlet without requiring daily rehearsals.
Philharmonic Orchestra (MUSC 283, section 502) M/W/F | 9:10–10 a.m.
Chamber Orchestra (MUSC 283, section 500) M/W | 4:10–5:25 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
The orchestra program is open to all currently enrolled Texas A&M students, regardless of major, college or previous ensemble affiliation.
An audition is required for placement in one of the Texas A&M orchestras. Auditions are used for ensemble placement, not exclusion. Most auditions are submitted electronically. Auditions can take place any time after your acceptance to the university. Most students will schedule their auditions to be the day before their New Student Conference (NSC) in the summer. To schedule your audition, please fill out the Audition Request Form. Dr. VanZandt will typically respond within 24 hours of receiving the request. You can also contact the director directly at [email protected].
Unlike many high school programs, the orchestras at Texas A&M do not meet every day. Ensembles rehearse two to three days per week, depending on the class day, easily allowing students to balance music participation with a full academic course load. Grades are entirely based on attendance. There are no graded assignments or testing.
This is one of the most common questions prospective students ask. Orchestra at Texas A&M is specifically designed for students with the most demanding degree paths. Nearly two-thirds of our orchestra students are engineering majors, with most others pursuing degrees in the sciences and pre-med. Even students with rigorous academic schedules consistently find orchestra to be a meaningful, manageable and energizing part of their week.
Texas A&M Orchestras perform a wide range of standard and contemporary orchestral repertoire. You can visit the Past Repertoire page to see our repertoire from the past three years.
Meet the Director
