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

Musical alumni return with their instruments and voices to perform side-by-side with the joined forces of the RPI Orchestra and Wind Symphony to play and rehearse Ottorino Respighi’s Pines of Rome in an informal and fun gathering of musical students and alumni!

Saturday, October 11th, 2025

4-6pm, 258 Hoosick

FAMILY WEEKEND CONCERT

This program features performances from a wide range of student music groups from across campus, including the RPI Ensembles as well as student music clubs.

Saturday, October 25th, 2025

6pm, West Hall Auditorium

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

RPI ORCHESTRA, CHOIR, AND WIND SYMPHONY SPRING CONCERT 2026

Saturday, April 11th, 2026

2pm, West Hall Auditorium

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