University of Toronto. Symphony Orchestra

• U of T Symphony Orchestra
• UTSO
• Royal Conservatory Symphony Orchestra
• Toronto Conservatory Symphony Orchestra

The University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra (UTSO) as we know it today had its beginnings in 1924 when Luigi von Kunits started a student orchestra at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (renamed the Royal Conservatory of Music in 1947). At the time, the University oversaw TCM's operations. Conductors of this orchestra included Kunits (1924-1930); Donald Heins (1930-1934); Ettore Mazzoleni (1934-1968); Boyd Neel (occasionally, starting 1956); Sir Ernest MacMillan (occasionally); and Karel Ančerl (1968).

The ensemble was officially renamed the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1969 and gave its first concert under this name on January 17, 1969, conducted by Victor Feldbrill. Feldbrill was the main conductor of the UTSO until 1982, at which point the orchestra was led by a series of guest conductors, including Mario Bernardi, Kazuhiro Koizumi, and Otto-Werner Mueller. Subsequent regular conductors of the orchestra have been: Michel Tabachnik (1985-1991); Pierre Hétu (1991-1994); Dwight Bennett (1993-1997); Raffi Armenian (1999-2008); David Briskin (2008-2015); and Uri Mayer (2015-present).

The Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (later, the UTSO) is first listed as an academic requirement for performers in the 1952-1953 academic calendar.

This orchestra should not be confused with the other "University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra," created by John Weinzweig in 1934 as an undergraduate student at the Faculty of Music. This community orchestra was not part of student training at the Faculty of Music and was run by the university's Student Administrative Council. It continued until 1966 under various conductors, including Victor Feldbrill, John Reymes-King, Hans Gruber, Harold Neal, Lee Hepner, Elmer Keith Girard, Robert Rosevear, Milton Barones, Albert-Josef Schardl, and Tibor Polgar.

Created March 2025.

Robin Elliott, "The University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra," University of Toronto Faculty of Music 100 Years, 1918-2018 [online article].

University of Toronto Faculty of Music Academic Calendars.