Who We Are
Housed within the Arts Department in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, our mission is to provide inclusive spaces for Rensselaer students to gather, collaborate, learn, and perform. We aim to provide opportunities and program music that reflects the diversity of our student musicians. We also seek to use music to build connections within the Rensselaer campus and with the local community. We hope you will join us as a musician, listener, or supporter.
Did You Know?
- Students in the Ensemble Program represent every school on Campus and over 20 different majors.
- Students in the Ensemble Program have the opportunity to perform on stage in the Curtis R. Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center's world-class Concert Hall.
- All students in the Ensemble Program are eligible to participate in the annual Rensselaer Concerto Competition, whose winner(s) perform a solo piece with the RPI Symphony Orchestra.
What’s On
FIRST YEAR CONVOCATION with the RPI Wind Symphony and Choir
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
6pm, East Campus Athletic Village
ALUMNI WEEKEND – ALUMNI PLAY-ALONG with the RPI Orchestra and Wind Symphony
Featuring Respighi’s Pines of Rome
Saturday, October 12th, 2025
Time and location TBA
FAMILY WEEKEND CONCERT
Saturday, October 25th, 2025
6pm, Location TBA
RPI HOLIDAY CONCERT AND VICTORIAN STROLL KICK-OFF EVENT
Saturday, December 6th, 2025
7pm, EMPAC Concert Hall
RPI’s INAUGURAL FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS featuring the RPI Choir
In partnership with RPI’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
Thursday, December 11th, 2025
7pm, Chapel and Cultural Center, RPI Campus
SPRING SOUNDS FESTIVAL 2026
Sponsored by the RPI School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the Department of Arts
Includes performances by the RPI Choir, Orchestra, and Wind Symphony
April 9th and 10th, 2026
Times TBA, EMPAC Concert Hall
APRIL CONCERT - ESYO COLLABORATION – MAHLER’S SYMPHONY NO. 1
The RPI Symphony Orchestra and Empire State Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra unite to perform Gustav Mahler’s epic Symphony no. 1.
Saturday, April 19th, 2026
2pm, EMPAC Concert Hall