The UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra recently completed a 10-day tour of Europe, performing in cities such as Vienna, Berlin, Prague, and Krakow. The 100-member orchestra played at renowned venues including the Musikverein in Vienna and Smetana Hall in Prague. Their program featured works by composers Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, as well as contemporary pieces like “Landscape Impression” by Chen Yi.

Andrea Chavez, a double bass player with the orchestra for two years, described her reaction to the audience’s enthusiastic response in Vienna: “I can’t believe this is real.” She added that performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 on such a historic stage was an emotional experience.

David Milnes has conducted the orchestra for three decades and also serves as chair and professor in Berkeley’s Department of Music. He called the tour “unimaginably exciting,” saying, “The music was transcendent. To do music in those spaces with the orchestra at the tip top of their preparation and excitement was like being on a rocket ship.”

Before traveling to Europe, students spent over a year preparing for the trip through rehearsals, fundraising efforts, logistics planning, and selecting repertoire tailored to each city’s audience. Bassoonist Donez Horton-Bailey noted how meaningful it was to perform for sold-out audiences abroad: “We always play our best, but in Europe, it felt like, ‘Wow, you’re here to see us?’ I was excited to play for them, to show them that American orchestras can play classical music well, too.”

The pandemic forced the symphony to halt live performances when UC Berkeley shifted to online learning. However, students continued practicing independently until they could return to campus rehearsals in fall 2021. Since then, interest has grown significantly; there are now two full orchestras at Berkeley—the Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra—and music majors have tripled.

Violinist Natasha Tjeng said she was impressed by both the challenging repertoire and her peers’ dedication: “We play music that professional orchestras think twice about programming... Everybody wants to be here.” Milnes emphasized involving students in programming decisions and introducing new compositions annually—some created by faculty or students—which often include experimental techniques or electronic elements developed at Berkeley’s Center for New Music and Audio Technology.

Milnes highlighted how playing unfamiliar contemporary works helps musicians grow artistically: “There are all kinds of creative artists all over the place that want to do new things and express themselves... It takes a bit of courage and industriousness... but it is really rewarding when we succeed at capturing the interest of the audiences.”

Students contributed not only musically but also managed aspects such as fundraising campaigns, finances, marketing efforts leading up to sold-out shows abroad, transportation logistics during travel between cities on tour days—even handling setup before concerts. Milnes said these experiences build skills beyond musicianship: “If you want something to happen you have to make it happen yourselves as a community.”

Many members plan careers outside music—including veterinary medicine or physics—but agree their time with the orchestra shaped their personal growth. As Milnes put it: “Music is its own very special joy and a way of expression but it’s also one of greatest ways develop as person... Our program trains professional musicians but also trains people who go on be surgeons engineers scientists scholars all kinds.”

Horton-Bailey echoed this sentiment about balancing academic pursuits with musical passion: “Turns out getting Ph.D. physics really hard... Music what I go when I’m stressed when need break from science.” Chavez added she intends continue playing double bass regardless future career path: "I’ll play double bass forever… I love that instrument with all my heart."

As student-musicians pursue various fields after graduation they credit their experience with UC Berkeley Symphony Orchestra for contributing significantly toward their development.