The Austin Peay State University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Tanya Simons, is designed for the development of the professional educator and professional performer. Its 60 members include students from a variety of majors as well as several advanced community members from the middle Tennessee area. The orchestra is dedicated to performing a wide variety of symphonic works from the late Baroque to the present day, having performed works by George Frideric Handel as well as Joan Tower. The orchestra performs twice each semester, including the annual opera production.