The University of New Mexico Orchestras

UNM's orchestras have been in existence for more than fifty years. They constitute some of the most important cultural student organizations on the campus of the University of New Mexico and are open to all students regardless of academic major. Both the University Symphony Orchestra and the University Chamber Orchestra rehearse in the UNM Center for the Arts.

Professor Jorge Pérez-Gómez is Director of Orchestral Activities and Professor of Conducting at the University of New Mexico. For more information about the orchestra program at UNM, please contact him at 505-277-5135, or via email at jorgepg@unm.edu.

The UNM Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Troka
Fall 2003, Keller Hall

The UNM Symphony Orchestra

The University Symphony Orchestra presents an average of nine concerts every year, performing major symphonic repertoire, works for chorus and orchestra (Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, 1991, and Orff’s Carmina Burana, 1993), and an opera production in conjunction with the UNM Opera Theater (Puccini’s La Boheme, 1993).

In 1991, the Symphony Orchestra became the resident ensemble of the “Music Festival of the Americas” at the Universidad de las Américas in Cholula, Puebla, Mexico.

In 1992, the orchestra had a very successful twelve-concert tour between Albuquerque and Mexico City in commemoration of the “Camino Real” established by the Spaniards in the 16th century between Mexico City, Mexico, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Many more exciting activities are planned for the future of this organization.

The UNM Chamber Orchestra

The University Chamber Orchestra presents between two and four concerts every year. Its purpose is to provide students with the opportunity of performing major chamber orchestra works in the repertoire.