Boasting a full complement of strings, winds and percussion, Purdue orchestras tackle everything from movie themes and lighter fare, in its annual Creepy Classics Halloween concert, to the most serious works of the classical repertoire.

The Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra offers a creative challenge to the most skilled musicians on campus. Under the direction of Andrew King, this orchestra often performs full symphonies. It uses standard full symphony instrumentation, including a complete compliment of strings, winds, and percussion and performs a concert series each semester on campus and around the state.  Numbering around 90 each semester, the Purdue Symphony is traditionally made up of students who have distinguished themselves in high school orchestral programs around the country. It meets three days a week for 90 minutes.

The Purdue Symphony Orchestra, also directed by King, provides performance opportunities for students who are not selected for the Philharmonic Orchestra or who want an ensemble experience with a more relaxed atmosphere.  The Purdue Symphony uses a standard instrumentation.  String players rehearse twice each week, and wind player and percussionists play with the orchestra one day each week.  The orchestra performs at least two concerts each semester. 

In the past, Purdue orchestras have performed special concerts for the Indiana Music Education Association at its annual convention, and collaborated with the Purdue Musical Organizations in performances at the Hilbert Circle Theater, the home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Soloists for the Hilbert Circle Theatre concert series have included: Susan Rider, trumpet performer with the United States Marine Band, Daniel Rodriquez, America’s Singing Policeman, whose career as a performer began following events of 9/11, 2001; Doug LaBreque, Broadway’s “Phantom of the Opera;” Byron Stripling, jazz trumpet legend and Broadway’s “Satchmo.”

Membership in the Philharmonic and Symphony orchestras is determined through auditions. Participants receive two hours of academic credit per semester.