Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra

Harvard Radcliffe Orchestra

The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra (HRO) is a collegiate symphony orchestra comprised of Harvard students and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in March of 1808 as the Pierian Sodality, the orchestra is considered by some to be the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States. This is disputed by others because of the organization's somewhat informal beginnings (the original charter states that the intent of the Pierian Sodality is to "perform music for the enjoyment of others as well as serenade young women in the square"), and as a result, some consider the New York Philharmonic to be the oldest American orchestra. The HRO assumed its current form as a modern symphony orchestra during the first half of the 20th century, and was, for a brief time, the nation's largest collegiate orchestra.

The orchestra currently contains over 100 members, and is the largest of the orchestras at Harvard University (though at one point during its history, the orchestra contained only one member, a flutist named Henry Gassett). In general, only students of Harvard College are eligible for membership, though this rule is not absolute and has occasionally been waived when necessary, allowing students from the other Harvard schools to participate. The orchestra plays four season concerts every year in Sanders Theater on Harvard's campus. It also sometimes gives children's concerts and regularly participates in the annual Arts First arts festival at Harvard. Its alumni board is still known as the Pierian Sodality of 1808.

The orchestra has been led since 1964 by James Yannatos, a composer and member of the music faculty at Harvard. He will be retiring after the 2008-2009 school year, and the search for the next conductor is currently in process.

The HRO has toured various places throughout its history, including South Korea, Brazil, Washington, D.C., Mexico, Canada, Italy, Soviet Union, Asia, and Europe. The HRO has also performed in Carnegie Hall, and in 1978 placed third in the International Festival of Student Orchestras.

External links

* [http://www.hrorchestra.org Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra Home Page]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Harvard College — Established 1636 Type Private Dean Evelynn M. Hammonds …   Wikipedia

  • Radcliffe College — Infobox University name = Radcliffe College native name = latin name = motto = established = 1879 1999 (Radcliffe College); 1999 Present (Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study) type = endowment = staff = faculty = president = provost = principal …   Wikipedia

  • Harvard Musical Association — tocrightThe Harvard Musical Association is a private charitable organization founded by Harvard University graduates in 1837 for the purposes of advancing musical culture and literacy, both at the University and in the city of Boston. Though… …   Wikipedia

  • Harvard Glee Club — The Harvard Glee Club is a 60 voice, all male choral ensemble at Harvard University. Founded in 1858 in the tradition of English and American glee clubs, it is the oldest college chorus in the US. [cite web… …   Wikipedia

  • Radcliffe Choral Society — The Radcliffe Choral Society is a 60 voice all female choral ensemble at Harvard University. [cite web title = Harvard College Student Life Organizations: Radcliffe Choral Society publisher = President Fellows of Harvard College date = 2007 06 05 …   Wikipedia

  • Radcliffe Killam — Infobox Person name = Radcliffe Killam image size caption = Radcliffe Killam birth date = birth date|1910|7|1 birth place = Grove in Delaware County, Oklahoma, USA death date = death date and age|2007|9|8|1910|7|1| death place = Laredo in Webb… …   Wikipedia

  • Bach Society Orchestra of Harvard University — The Bach Society Orchestra, known as BachSoc, is Harvard s premier chamber orchestra. The orchestra is staffed, managed, and conducted entirely by students. Each year, the members of the orchestra select the next year s conductor, always an… …   Wikipedia

  • Boston Symphony Orchestra — Infobox musical artist Name = Boston Symphony Orchestra Background = classical ensemble Alias = BSO Origin = flagicon|USA Boston, Massachusetts, USA Genre = Classical Occupation = Symphony orchestra Years active = 1881 present Associated acts =… …   Wikipedia

  • Boston Symphony Orchestra — Orchestre symphonique de Boston L Orchestre symphonique de Boston, en anglais Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) compte parmi les orchestres symphoniques les plus prestigieux. Il est particulièrement renommé pour la qualité de ses pupitres de cordes …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Yo-Yo Ma — 馬友友 Ma plays the cello during the Presentation of the Crystal Award at the Annual Meeting 2008 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 25, 2008. Background information …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”