SEMO Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Junior tuba player Greg Haseley previews the upcoming concert featuring Mahler's First Symphony and Beethoven's Triple Concerto.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A bold, abstract illustration featuring jagged, geometric shapes in red and white, representing the energy and dynamism of a symphony orchestra performance.The SEMO Symphony Orchestra's 25th anniversary concert celebrates the ensemble's growth and the university's commitment to musical excellence.Cincinnati Today

The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will be performing its 25th Anniversary Celebration concert on April 24th, featuring Mahler's Symphony No. 1 and Beethoven's Triple Concerto. Junior tuba player Greg Haseley, a music education major, discusses his prominent role in the Mahler piece and the rewarding experience of rehearsing and performing with the full orchestra ensemble.

Why it matters

The 25th anniversary concert marks a significant milestone for the SEMO Symphony Orchestra, showcasing the ensemble's growth and the university's commitment to musical excellence. The return of former conductor Dr. Edgar Chan to lead the Beethoven concerto adds to the celebratory nature of the event, reuniting past and present members of the orchestra.

The details

The program includes Mahler's Symphony No. 1, known as the 'Titan', and Beethoven's Triple Concerto. As a tuba player, Greg Haseley will have a prominent role in the Mahler piece, including a third tuba solo in the Funeral March section of the third movement. He describes the contrast between the tuba's usual flashy, march-style role and its more somber, foundational function in Mahler's work. Preparing the concert has been a rewarding experience for Greg, as the ensemble rehearses the familiar-but-surprising Mahler themes and watches the piece come together.

  • The 25th Anniversary Celebration concert will be held on Friday, April 24th, 2026 at 7:30pm.
  • The SEMO Symphony Orchestra recently performed at Cincinnati's Music Hall during a tour.

The players

Greg Haseley

A junior music education major at Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) and a tuba player in the SEMO Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Edgar Chan

The conductor emeritus of the SEMO Symphony Orchestra, who is returning to lead the Beethoven Triple Concerto for the 25th anniversary concert.

Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra

The university's symphony orchestra, celebrating its 25th anniversary with a special concert program.

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What they’re saying

“Preparing the concert has been rewarding for Greg: rehearsing the familiar-but-surprising Mahler themes with the full ensemble, hearing solos across winds and strings, and experiencing the piece come together like a puzzle.”

— Greg Haseley, Junior tuba player

“He also participated recently with the wind symphony on tour to Cincinnati's Music Hall, a venue with deep orchestral and wind-band history.”

— Greg Haseley, Junior tuba player

What’s next

The 25th Anniversary Celebration concert on April 24th will close out the SEMO Symphony Orchestra's performance season, but Greg hints at exciting repertoire planned for next semester.

The takeaway

The 25th anniversary concert for the SEMO Symphony Orchestra showcases the ensemble's growth and the university's commitment to musical excellence, with the return of former conductor Dr. Edgar Chan adding to the celebratory nature of the event. For junior tuba player Greg Haseley, the experience of rehearsing and performing the Mahler and Beethoven works has been deeply rewarding, allowing him to take on prominent roles and witness the pieces come together with the full orchestra.