The UW Chamber Orchestra is an ensemble specializing in orchestral repertoire written before 1800, or in later works composed for other small, string-based combinations.  In 2009 the UWCO gave an invited performance at the MENC All-Northwest Conference in Spokane, and they give tour performances throughout the Rocky Mountain region.  These musicians can often be found accompanying UW's Collegiate Chorale, Opera Theatre, and Department of Theatre and Dance performances as well.  Direction of the Chamber Orchestra rotates between viola professor James Przygocki, Director of Orchestral Activities Michael Griffith, cello professor Beth Vanderborgh, and Director of Bands Robert Belser.  Membership is by audition only.

Recent works played by the Chamber Orchestra include symphonies by Haydn, Schubert and Mozart, the Purcell opera Dido and Aeneas, Wagner's Siegfried Idyll, the Handel Water Music and Royal Fireworks Music, Turina's La Oracion del Torero, operettas by Offenbach and by Gilbert and Sullivan, and various Baroque concerti, suites, and choral works.