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About CUMS Symphony Orchestra

"What a splendid time I had with CUMS in May Week! The Chorus was superb; the Orchestra excellent and so open to new ideas. These are groups which have evidently got steadily better over the years I have been away! Any undergraduate would be lucky to sing or play in them. There's something really thrilling about being part of a large group making music well, as they do. I greatly look forward to the next time I can join them"

Sir Roger Norrington, July 2010

CUMS Symphony Orchestra is the University's flagship orchestra, drawn from top student instrumentalists in Cambridge, who audition each October to secure their place. It performs five concerts a year, encompassing a wide range of repertoire from Baroque oratorios to new commissions by renowned 21st century composers. The orchestra is directed by its principal conductor, Martin Yates, and a series of distinguished guest conductors, who are assisted each year by the student winner of the annual CUMS Conducting Competition. Players also enjoy regular coaching from professional orchestral players.

Recent highlights in the Orchestra's programme have included Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius with the CUMS Cambridge College Choirs and Sir Richard Armstrong, an evening of Czech music conducted by the world-renowned Libor Pešek, and a performance of Messian's Turangalîla Symphony, described by critics as "spectacular" and "virtuosic".

Those interested in auditioning for the CUMS Symphony Orchestra for the 2011-12 Season should see the auditions page. Highlights this year will include:

• 29 October 2011 Stravinsky Firebird Suite and Elgar Cello Concerto, conducted by Martin Yates, with soloist Rapael Wallfisch (West Road Concert Hall)
• 3 December 2011 Grieg Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky Symphony No.6 'Pathethique', conducted by CUMS Conducting Scholar Harry Ogg (West Road Concert Hall)
• 28 January 2012 Debussy La Damoiselle Elue and Wagner Overture & Act III, Parsifal with the CUMS Cambridge College Choirs, CUCO, and professional soloists including Joan Rodgers, conducted by Sir Mark Elder (King's College Chapel)
• 3 March 2012 Prokofiev Violin Concerto No.1 and Shostakovich Symphony No.7, conducted by Martin Yates, with soloist Josie Robertson (West Road Concert Hall)
• 16 June 2012 Debussy La Mer and Berlioz Te Deum with the CUMS Chorus and soloist Christopher Gillett, conducted by Graeme Jenkins (King's College Chapel)

CUMS Symphony Orchestra Recordings

The following recordings of the CUMS Symphony Orchestra were taken at the West Road Concert Hall on December 3rd 2011. The Orchestra was conducted by Harry Ogg and the Grieg Concerto was performed by John Chen. This mp3 player requires Flash.

CUMS Symphony Orchestra Concerts