The Large Instrumental Music Ensembles at UNSW include the UNSW Wind Symphony and UNSW Orchestra, which are managed by the Music Performance Unit with members supported by the Society of Orchestra and Pipers.

These groups were founded as community ensembles, and are open to all instrumentalists at UNSW and beyond. Since being founded in 1989, thousands of students, staff, alumni and community members have played in these two ensembles as an important part of the cultural fabric of the UNSW campus.