University of the Pacific's Orchestras provide a broad range of performance experiences through various sizes and types of orchestral ensembles. Participation is open to all Pacific students by audition.

Students in the orchestra have opportunities to collaborate with Pacific Opera Theatre in fully-staged operas and musical theater productions. They play music from the Baroque through modern eras and from a diverse collection of composers. They perform major choral masterworks with Pacific Choirs as well as concerti with faculty and guest soloists and with students who are selected in the Conservatory Performance Competition.

2024-25 Guest Conductors

Each year we invite internationally-recognized conductors who introduce Pacific students to exciting and diverse works. Recent guest conductors included Laura Jackson, Jeffrey Meyer and Kalena Bovell.

Fernanda Lestra, conductor

Fernanda Lestra

2024 guest conductor

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Matilda Hofman, conductor

Matilda Hofman

2024 guest conductor

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Michael Alexander, conductor

Michael Alexander

2025 guest conductor

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Laura Jackson, conductor

Laura Jackson

2025 guest conductor

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Examples of Recent Repertoire

  • Symphony in A minor, op. 8 (1896) by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
  • Elegia andina (Andean elegy) (2000) by Gabriela Lena Frank
  • Gloria (1960) by Francis Poulenc
  • Symphony No. 1 in D Major (1888) by Gustav Mahler
  • Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) (2014, 2016) by Missy Mazzoli
  • Symphony No. 8 in G Major, op. 88 (1889) by Antonín Dvořák
  • Symphony No. in E Minor (1931-32) by Florence Price
Kaylie Diggs, student soprano soloist
2023-24 Season Highlight
Poulenc's Gloria at Pacific

In April of 2024, University Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Choirs performed Francis Poulenc's "Gloria"—work scored for soprano solo, large orchestra and chorus. The soloist on this piece was one of the winners of the 2023-24 Performance Competition Kaylie Diggs '24, BM, Music Performance (pictured).