About Us
The TXST Orchestra Program offers an inclusive and positive educational environment while striving for the highest possible level of musical performance with multiple and varied orchestral opportunities for TXST students. Whether you are interested in going on to be a professional orchestral musician, music educator, arts administrator, or you just love playing your instrument and want to stay connected to your music making and the culture of music, TXST has an orchestra for you!
TXST Symphony Orchestra
The Texas State Symphony Orchestra is the flagship ensemble of the orchestral program. The TXST Symphony is a full symphony orchestra consisting of strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion and presents 3-4 major concert performances each semester performing the greatest works of the symphonic canon including symphonies, overtures, concerti, new music, and choral masterworks. Past repertoire is available here. As part of its concert presentations, the TXST Symphony regularly collaborates with internationally renowned visiting guest artists, faculty soloists, and commissions and premieres new works for orchestra.
The Symphony Orchestra is open by audition to all Texas State students. The mission of this orchestra is the training of future orchestral performers and music educators. Audition is required for anyone interested in performing with this orchestra due to the intensity, difficulty, and volume of repertoire that is performed each semester by the TXST Symphony.
The TXST Symphony Orchestra has performed by invitation at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention and the American String Teachers Convention. The symphony orchestra has toured Europe, performing in Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland and has been invited to perform at the White House Christmas celebration.
Rehearsals are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 to 3:50pm and is a one credit hour course.
TXST Chamber and Opera Orchestra
The Texas State Chamber and Opera Orchestra is a specialized, classical sized ensemble drawn from the symphony orchestra. The focus of this ensemble is to explore repertoire meant for chamber orchestras and to perform as the pit orchestra for spring opera productions with the TXST Opera Theater. In May 2017, the TXST Chamber Orchestra toured Central Europe giving concert performances in Budapest, Prague and Vienna.
TXST Camerata Orchestra
TXST Camerata is the newest orchestral ensemble at TXST and welcomes students from all over campus to join together to build community through music! Open to all Texas State students without audition and regardless of major, TXST Camerata offers a welcoming environment for string musicians at all skill levels who wish to continue being a part of a positive and inclusive musical community.
The TXST Camerata meets Monday and Wednesdays 3:30-4:50 in the Music Building room 222. Interested students are encouraged to register for the course now:
MUSE 3126-032 - CRN: 20977
In addition to rehearsals and our performances, the Camerata orchestra offers opportunities for personal growth and meaningful connections. Camerata members work to expand their skills on their instruments and perform at the highest possible level while being a part of the greater musical community on the Texas State University campus.
TXST Camerata will perform approximately two concerts per semester. For more information please visit our website or reach out to the director of orchestral studies, Dr. Jacob Harrison, at jacob.harrison@txstate.edu.