About
The AUC Center Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1997 to unify musical scholarship across three historic undergraduate institutions in Atlanta, Georgia – Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and Morehouse College.
AUCSO is a central space for young classical musicians to learn, rehearse and perform classical music. With 30+ other instrumentalists, students learn what it means to play in a large ensemble, applying the music theory and ear training understanding that harmony is a product of maturing skill, consistent planning and collegial bonds.
In AUCSO, students study a variety of styles and periods. AUCSO centers the works of Black composers and offers exposure to what are considered canonical works, while also challenging the notion of a canon. Though classical music bears the stigma of racialization and esotericism, classical music is a familiar tune to Black people. Through AUCSO’s performances and educational programming, both students and audiences can discover that classical music is an expansive and enduring part of Black identity. AUCSO traces the lineage of classical music within Black culture, illustrates its relevance in contemporary music, and opens up the possibilities of its future.
AUCSO cultivates students’ connection with orchestral music at every level, from casual appreciation, to in-depth learning, and to professional pursuits in the field. Students are viewed as whole persons, with interests and needs beyond acquiring superior musicianship. One of the major goals of current director, Ezra Haugabrooks, is for students to graduate with a plan that sustains their passion for playing, expands their network of musical colleagues and establishes a foundation for economic stability. He strongly believes that the skills necessary to succeed in life can be cultivated through the experience of contributing to and learning within a musical community like AUCSO.
Join Our Group
Playing with the AUCSO takes students beyond learning technique and mechanics. They learn the art of developing a career in music by working with professional musicians.
Our Conductor
Dr. Alvoy Bryan Jr. is a violist, violinist, and conductor. A native of Decatur, G.A., he began studying the violin at age ten, and viola at age eighteen. His early music experiences include being an alumni of William Grant Still Memorial Youth Orchestra (Currently Still Strings), Dekalb Youth Pop Orchestra, Dekalb Youth Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. His formal music education includes a B.M. in music performance from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), an M.M. in music performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a D.M.A. in music performance from the University of South Carolina. Some of his principal teachers include Shirley Cartman, David Robinson, Chester Griffin, Kimbraly Grimes, Ronda Respess (Joseph Gingold student), Mimi Zweig, Dr. Scott Rawls, Frits De Jonge, and Ryan Kho (Dorothy Delay student).
Dr. Bryan has over 19 years of conducting experience. He has conducted string, chamber, and symphony orchestra. He has taught orchestra on all academic levels in South Carolina (elementary through college). Dr. Bryan has served as guest conductor for the University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra. He has served as Director for the Chamber Orchestra at Presbyterian College, String Ensemble at Benedict College, String Ensemble at South Carolina State University, and Chamber Ensemble at Allen University. He has also served as an orchestra teacher at Cardinal Newman High School (private catholic school), and in Richland One and Richland Two School Districts in South Carolina. He was a guest conductor for Richland One School District Middle School Honor Orchestra in 2007. Dr. Bryan has also served as guest orchestra clinician throughout the Southern Region in the United States, and recently served as a guest clinician for the South Carolina American Strings Teachers Association Workshops in 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Bryan has over 22 years of experience as a professional orchestral and chamber musician. He is a member of Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra (principal viola), Western Piedmont Symphony (principal viola), Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra (section viola and violin). Additional orchestras include: Aiken Symphony Orchestra (former principal viola), Augusta Symphony Orchestra (section viola and violin), Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Danville Symphony, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony, and Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra. As a professional chamber musician, Dr. Bryan has performed in Europe and South America. He served as the violist in the Atlantis String Quartet, is the founding member of the Gervais String Quartet and Bryan Chamber Ensemble. Dr. Bryan has also served as principal viola with The Palmetto Opera Orchestra (Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Rigoletto, etc.). He has served as violist and violinist in the pit orchestra for several Broadway shows (Temptations: Ain’t Too Proud, Funny Girl, Into The Woods, etc.) in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Bryan has a very extensive background in higher education. He has served on the faculties at Allen University (Associate Professor and Chair of Music Department), Benedict College (Music Department Coordinator), South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Presbyterian College, and Webster University. Dr. Bryan has made a lifelong commitment to teaching young persons how to become professional orchestral musicians and music educators. Several of his students have earned masters and doctorate degrees in music, and are currently teaching music throughout the nation in elementary, middle, high school, and college.
Dr. Alvoy Bryan Jr. is a violist, violinist, and conductor. A native of Decatur, G.A., he began studying the violin at age ten, and viola at age eighteen. His early music experiences include being an alumni of William Grant Still Memorial Youth Orchestra (Currently Still Strings), Dekalb Youth Pop Orchestra, Dekalb Youth Symphony, and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. His formal music education includes a B.M. in music performance from Indiana University (Bloomington, IN), an M.M. in music performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a D.M.A. in music performance from the University of South Carolina. Some of his principal teachers include Shirley Cartman, David Robinson, Chester Griffin, Kimbraly Grimes, Ronda Respess (Joseph Gingold student), Mimi Zweig, Dr. Scott Rawls, Frits De Jonge, and Ryan Kho (Dorothy Delay student).
Dr. Bryan has over 19 years of conducting experience. He has conducted string, chamber, and symphony orchestra. He has taught orchestra on all academic levels in South Carolina (elementary through college). Dr. Bryan has served as guest conductor for the University of South Carolina Chamber Orchestra. He has served as Director for the Chamber Orchestra at Presbyterian College, String Ensemble at Benedict College, String Ensemble at South Carolina State University, and Chamber Ensemble at Allen University. He has also served as an orchestra teacher at Cardinal Newman High School (private catholic school), and in Richland One and Richland Two School Districts in South Carolina. He was a guest conductor for Richland One School District Middle School Honor Orchestra in 2007. Dr. Bryan has also served as guest orchestra clinician throughout the Southern Region in the United States, and recently served as a guest clinician for the South Carolina American Strings Teachers Association Workshops in 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Bryan has over 22 years of experience as a professional orchestral and chamber musician. He is a member of Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra (principal viola), Western Piedmont Symphony (principal viola), Greenville Symphony Orchestra, and South Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra (section viola and violin). Additional orchestras include: Aiken Symphony Orchestra (former principal viola), Augusta Symphony Orchestra (section viola and violin), Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Danville Symphony, Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Long Bay Symphony, and Rock Hill Symphony Orchestra. As a professional chamber musician, Dr. Bryan has performed in Europe and South America. He served as the violist in the Atlantis String Quartet, is the founding member of the Gervais String Quartet and Bryan Chamber Ensemble. Dr. Bryan has also served as principal viola with The Palmetto Opera Orchestra (Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Rigoletto, etc.). He has served as violist and violinist in the pit orchestra for several Broadway shows (Temptations: Ain’t Too Proud, Funny Girl, Into The Woods, etc.) in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC.
Dr. Bryan has a very extensive background in higher education. He has served on the faculties at Allen University (Associate Professor and Chair of Music Department), Benedict College (Music Department Coordinator), South Carolina State University, Claflin University, Presbyterian College, and Webster University. Dr. Bryan has made a lifelong commitment to teaching young persons how to become professional orchestral musicians and music educators. Several of his students have earned masters and doctorate degrees in music, and are currently teaching music throughout the nation in elementary, middle, high school, and college.
