Columbia’s Orchestra Is the Oldest Continually Operating University Orchestra in the United States

COURTESY COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Composer and pianist Edward MacDowell founded the Columbia University Orchestra in 1896 and, although it has undergone several name changes (to the Columbia University Philharmonic Society and the Students’ Orchestra, most notably), it remains in operation. The CUO’s principal mission is to expose student musicians to the highest level of orchestral repertoire; members rehearse once a week and occasionally travel for performances across the United States.