HISTORY OF THE SYDNEY UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Sydney University Symphony Orchestra was founded by Donald Peart in 1948, then named the 'Pro Musica Orchestra'. Based in the Department of Music, the orchestra welcomes players from all over the University and also from outside it. Most players in the orchestra are studying for their Bachelor of Music or higher degrees in performance at the University of Sydney, while others are continuing their music experience simultaneously studying towards non music-related degrees. In this environment the orchestra provides an atmosphere both seriously committed to music-making and social interaction, through which the studies and concert practice of music students can be shared with the University and the broader community.

With prominent Australian composers Peter Sculthorpe, Anne Boyd, Ross Edwards and younger professional composers, John Peterson, Kirsty Beilharz, Matthew Hindson, Paul Stanhope, Nick Vines and Jane Stanley associated with the Music Department as academic staff or alumni, the Sydney University Symphony Orchestra has been exposed to some ground-breaking music with the added advantage of collaborating with the composer.

Over the years, conductors of the orchestra have included Eric Gross, Peter Platt, Ben Macpherson, Nicholas Routley and Colin Piper. Most concerts take place in the Great Hall, University of Sydney while the orchestra rehearses, currently on Monday evenings, in the Old Darlington School at Sydney University.