The Oklahoma State University Symphony Orchestra is one of two groups chosen to perform at the 2020 College Orchestra Directors Association National Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia. Some 300 groups represented by the College Orchestra Directors Association auditioned for this year’s event Feb. 6-8.

Symphony Director Dr. Thomas Taylor Dickey said he is proud to represent OSU’s flourishing music program and strives to showcase works by underrepresented composers. 

“We are taking four pieces of music, two by women composers and two by composers of color,” Dickey said. “We have the opportunity to uplift and celebrate historically underrepresented composers.”

“The OSU Symphony Orchestra has also provided opportunities for me that I don’t think I could have gotten anywhere else,” said Mady Hendryx, a third-year member of the orchestra. “I love that I have the opportunity to be able to constantly collaborate with my peers and create music to share with an audience.”

Oklahoma State is amplifying its arts programs with the completion of The McKnight Center in September 2019 and the new building for the Michael and Anne Greenwood School of Music opening in the fall of 2021. The $28 million Greenwood building will be equipped with music laboratories, classrooms, rehearsal spaces and a teaching studio with state-of-the-art technology and equipment.

“It just speaks volumes to the energy on this campus for the wonderful support we have for the arts, from our administration to our donors and concertgoers — it just encapsulates all of that energy we have we have here,” Dickey said.

The Symphony Orchestra will perform a send-off concert at The McKnight Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. For ticket information, visit mcknightcenter.org.