One of the most enriching and pivotal experiences for any music group, whether a jazz ensemble, a symphony orchestra or a rock band is to present a concert overseas.

On Jan. 9, Cornell Symphony Orchestra Director Chris Yonghoon Kim, 53 students and two faculty soloists, John Haines-Eitzen (cello) and Stephen Miahky (violin), left for a weeklong visit to Berlin, where they presented a concert Jan. 14 in the historic church Evangelische Kirchengemeinde Grunewald. The performers were joined by Berlin musicians.

"Our orchestra is usually about 75 members," explained Kim, before the group left. "For this trip, we have 53 members going, so it'll be filled in by members of two community orchestras in Berlin. It's a very nice opportunity for us to collaborate with our counterparts in Germany. Because Berlin is such a rich musical city, we're taking the attitude that this is a time to learn from all the rich musical and cultural opportunities that are available to us."

The orchestra performed the Brahms Double Concerto and Symphony No. 1 by Dmitri Shostakovich. The students also attended an open recital, a performance by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johann Strauss operetta "Die Fledermaus" at the Komische Oper Berlin. The trip was supported primarily by Cornell student-raised funds, as well as funds provided by orchestra members themselves.

"Local businesses and restaurants were really helpful," says fund-raising coordinator and second violinist Jin Yi '10.

The day before they left, Kim and the orchestra held a final rehearsal in Lincoln Hall. Excitement was in the air as Kim took the podium, and the talking and laughter stopped, replaced by intense looks of concentration.

"I think it's going to sound great. Everyone in the orchestra's really excited," said concertmaster Stephanie Chu '10.

The Cornell Symphony Orchestra comprises graduate and undergraduate students from across the university, with music majors in the minority.