A collaboration with the �鶹ӳ����ý Music Department, Symphony stands as one of the Office of Student Involvement’s longest-standing traditions. Set to the theme of “Spring,” Chung Park, director for Orchestras and String Music Education, treated audience members to classics by Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Verdi and Sleeper. This year’s orchestra included students, Orlando community members, faculty and alumni.

“I am so proud of all the work that went into this incredible event,” said Lucy Sanchez, senior Biomedical Sciences student and CAB Fine Arts director. “Having the opportunity to bring campus and the Orlando community for such a beautiful evening is truly an honor.”

Symphony Under the Stars occurs every year on the third Thursday in April.

The program comprises two pieces, Delibes’ Coppélia Suite and Franck’s Symphony in D-Minor, played without intermission. Dancers from Theatre �鶹ӳ����ý will join for the first piece. They will perform a movement piece with kites in the Reflecting Pond.

A team of creative directors from the Theatre Department has been working with community professionals, graduate students, alumni, dancers, and designers to create what they call a “Site-Specific Theatrical Event: Chance Choreography with Performance Objects.”

The choreography includes 20 performers including professionals and students who will incorporate dance puppetry and objects in their performance. Vandy Wood and Julia Listengarten, theatre faculty and members of the creative team, are thrilled to collaborate across the disciplines on many production levels. “We are excited about the opportunity to integrate a visual performance in the live symphony concert. This creative process challenged us in many unexpected ways, but, most specifically, in how we develop a shared vocabulary across disciplinary boundaries and between different communities.”

Marosi, director of Instrumental Ensembles, said he is excited to be partnering with the Theatre Department. “I try to come up with different ideas for the event. And this year, I conducted Theatre’s production of The Music Man, and now they are participating in our event.”

The annual concert occurs outside for two reasons. The first, Marosi said, is lack of an on-campus performance hall big enough to accommodate the symphony and patrons. The second is that “this symphony exists for the community. We provide a break at the end of the semester for all �鶹ӳ����ý students. The students in the orchestra get to play beautiful music for all of their classmates and friends, and everyone walking by can see, and hear, that �鶹ӳ����ý has a symphony orchestra.”

“It’s a very challenging program,” says Marosi, “and not all the performers are music majors. There is a wide range of majors represented in the orchestra.”

Guests are invited to bring chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union. Parking on the �鶹ӳ����ý campus will be free for patrons from 7-10 p.m. (Visitors parking in 24-hour reserved spots will be ticketed.)

This event is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board. For more information, contact cabarts@ucf.edu or call 407-823-3294.

The Central Florida community is invited to gather around �鶹ӳ����ý’s Reflection Pond Thursday, April 14, for a “Symphony Under the Stars.”

Hosted by the Campus Activities Board and �鶹ӳ����ý Music Department, the annual concert began in the 1980s.

The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and will last for about two hours. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets – and arrive early to ensure a good spot on the lawn. The event is free and open to the public.

Symphony Under the Stars will feature the �鶹ӳ����ý Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lazlo Marosi, performing Gustav Mahler’s “Symphony No. 1 in D major.”

For more information, go to or call 407-823-2869.