Universitetets symfoniorkester i Bergen

USO was established in 1985 as a merger of Studentorkesteret (founded in 1966) and Bergen Operaorkester, and consists mainly of students and employees of universities and colleges in Bergen, as well as skilled amateurs in the region of Bergen.
The orchestra holds three concerts per year and plays mainly classical works, but has also performed modern works (e.g. Aron Copeland, Igor Stranvinskij, David Jackson, Nils Henrik Asheim, Torstein Aagaard-Nilsen, Ricardo Odriozola, Terry Riley, Magnar Åm, Eilert Tøsse, Robin Garen Aaberg). The orchestra is also committed to promoting little-known Norwegian and Nordic composers from the 20th century and their works (e.g. Eivind Groven, Arild Plau, Fredrick Schjelderup, Harald Lie, Eyvind Alnæs).
Over the years, the orchestra has engaged a number of well-known soloists, but also young soloists in the early stages of their careers (Audun Kayser, Ingrid Andsnes, Truls Mørk, Aage Kvalbein, Miriam Helms Ålien, Amalie Stalheim) and it sometimes happens that the orchestra's own members perform as soloists, no later than April 2023.