Symphony Orchestra

Why Choose Orchestral Studies at Southern Miss?

As a USM Symphony Orchestra member you have the opportunity to:

• Perform in an orchestra with the highest performance standards and a commitment to diversity
• Perform with extraordinary guest artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Placido Domingo, Renée Fleming, Francois Rabath, Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg, John Browning, Debra Voigt, and Jean Pierre Rampal
• Perform with regional professional orchestras
• Perform with outstanding guest conductors from across the globe
• Study with outstanding artist/faculty on every instrument

Haydn In Hattiesburg

The University of Southern Mississippi’s acclaimed School of Music and nationally recognized FestivalSouth are pleased to present ‘Haydn in Hattiesburg’- a week of pedagogy, performances, and Papa Haydn! Running May 31 - June 6, 2026, participants will take part in rehearsals, coachings, orchestral excerpt classes, and special topic sessions.  Over the course of the week, social activities will also be scheduled to include a pool party, special meals and other fun activities.

On Friday evening, June 5, the festival chamber ensembles will perform during a FestivalSouth event. The festival will close with an orchestral concert on Saturday afternoon, June 6. Program is scheduled to include Haydn's Symphony No. 104 in D and Ludwig van Beethoven's – Symphony No. 3 in Eb, “Eroica.” This is based on a “classical” orchestra of paired winds, timpani and strings. There will not be trombone or tuba positions this year.