RECENT NEWS
In 2011 alone, SUSO performed such varied works as Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3 (Organ Symphony), Gershwin's An American in Paris, Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade, and Schubert's Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished): all in the spectacular surrounds of the Sydney University Great Hall. The orchestra was also lucky enough to be joined by special guest presenter Bruce Beresford in a concert of film music and musical storytelling, which included Gordon's award-winning Suite from Mao's Last Dancer.

In its final performance for 2011, the orchestra was joined by renowned Australian pianist and SUSO patron, Kathryn Selby, performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9.

2011 also saw SUSO perform in a very different kind of concert: accompanying legendary Australian rock band 'The Church' in their sold-out 30th anniversary show, 'A Psychedelic Symphony' at the Sydney Opera House. Check out selected videos from the concert here and here!

Many more exciting things are being planned for 2012- click the link above for more information about our upcoming concerts, especially an exciting collaboration with the UNSW Orchestra in April!

ABOUT SUSO
The Sydney University Symphony Orchestra, originally known as the "Pro Musica Orchestra", was founded by Donald Peart in 1948. The orchestra has become the premier instrumental music society on the main campus of the University of Sydney. It welcomes students from a broad range of faculties and disciplines at the University (including the Conservatorium). In addition to its busy concert and rehearsal schedule, SUSO organises regular social events, including dinners, pub nights and Thai lunches, which provide members with many opportunities to make friends and enjoy university life.

Over the years, SUSO has been conducted by many prominent conductors, including Eric Gross, Peter Platt, Ben Macpherson, Nicholas Routley and Colin Piper. Through its longstanding connection with the University's Department of Music, the orchestra has performed works of prominent Australian composers including Anne Boyd, Ross Edwards, Peter Sculthorpe and Matthew Hindson.

In 1999, the orchestra was registered as an official student society of the University of Sydney Union and is run by a nine-member student committee. The orchestra has in the last few years performed a varied programme including works by Bizet, Grieg, Britten, Mussorgsky, Mozart, Schubert, Elgar and Shostakovich. Highlights include performances of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in collaboration with the Sydney University Musical Society, Sergei Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf under the stars in the University's sandstone quadrangle, and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue with renowned Australian pianist, Kathryn Selby.

Since 2006, SUSO has been under the musical direction of George Ellis, who has conducted many of Australia's finest orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony, Queensland, Tasmanian Symphony and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.