A wide variety of literature is read, studied, analyzed, rehearsed, and performed each quarter by the CSUH University Symphony Orchestra. Works for string orchestra, chamber orchestra, full orchestra and orchestral winds and percussion are performed during the concert season, and read in rehearsal each quarter. Orchestra members are exposed to literature from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th Century historical periods throughout the season, and concerts regularly feature CSUH faculty and students as soloists. September 1999 marked the start of a new chapter in the history of the CSU, Hayward Orchestra Program, as Professor Timothy M. Smith, long-time CSUH Director of Bands and Professor of Conducting and Instrumental Music Education assumed leadership of the University Symphony Orchestra. The Chamberlain Quartet, a string quartet of young professional musicians, including CSUH Alumnae Sharon Yumae Hendee, is in its second year of residency with the University Symphony Orchestra, providing leadership during rehearsals with the full orchestra, acting as section coaches during string orchestra rehearsals, and performing as featured artists in larger chamber orchestra works throughout the season.
Additional scholarships are available for any interested orchestral musician.
Membership in the University is open, by audition, to all university students, and both music majors and talented non-majors are currently performing with the University Symphony Orchestra. Alumni of the CSU, Hayward Symphony Orchestra hold prominent positions in the San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, San Jose Symphony, Oakland East Bay Symphony, California Symphony, Bay Area Women's Philharmonic and many other renowned organizations throughout the country. Membership in the University Orchestra is open, by audition, to all university students. Both music majors and talented non-majors are currently performing with the University Symphony Orchestra.