The Mary Washington College and Community Orchestra was founded by Dr. James Baker in 1970, and now for more than 50 years has served as a vital public face for the university and for the music department. From the start, the ensemble brought together student, faculty, and community musicians in order to perform orchestral repertoire together–on campus and elsewhere (in Carnegie Hall, in various cities in the United States, and on several international tours). Dr. Baker, Kevin Bartram (under whom the name of the ensemble changed to the UMW Philharmonic Orchestra), and now Glenn Quader have developed substantial community support for the orchestra, providing each year scholarship awards to every student in the group and enabling partnerships with a wide variety of artists over the years.
Consider supporting the work of the orchestra by becoming one of the many Friends of the Philharmonic.
2023-2024 season
(All Concerts are Free of Charge)
Saturday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. (Dodd Auditorium): Waves of Melody
Shafaat Khan returns to the stage of Dodd Auditorium to collaborate with the Philharmonic in a fusion of East and West, the premiere of his sitar concerto Waves of Melody.
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:00 p.m. (The Weatherly Wing of Seacbeck Hall): UMW Philharmonic Concerto Competition final round
Student soloists compete for the opportunity to perform with the orchestra next February. Each finalist will perform one movement of a concerto (piano accompaniment) for final adjudication.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. (Dodd Auditorium): The UMW Philharmonic Rings in the Holidays
Sunday, Feb. 25, 3:00 p.m. (Dodd Auditorium): UMW Philharmonic Concerto Winners showcase
[winners TBA after November finals]