List of symphony orchestras in the United States

Summary

There were 1,224 symphony orchestras in the United States as of 2014. Some U.S. orchestras maintain a full 52-week performing season, but most are small and have shorter seasons.[1][2] As of 2007, there were 117 U.S. orchestras with annual budgets of $2.5 million or more.[3]

Critics in the 1950s identified five American orchestras as the Big Five, those considered leaders in "musical excellence, calibre of musicianship, total contract weeks, weekly basic wages, recording guarantees, and paid vacations."[4] The five were the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Cleveland Orchestra. But the concept and the list are now outmoded. Music critics today include more orchestras on their lists of "top" American orchestras.[5]

Notable U.S. orchestras are listed here by state. Youth orchestras are listed in a separate list of youth orchestras in the United States. For orchestras in other countries, see list of symphony orchestras.

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See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Catherine Wichterman, "The Orchestra Forum: A Discussion of Symphony Orchestras in the US", 1998 Annual Report, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, archived from the original on 2012-09-06
  2. ^ Voss, Zannie Giraud; Voss, Glenn B.; Yair, Karen (2016), Orchestra Facts: 2006-2014 (PDF), League of American Orchestras
  3. ^ a b c d U.S. Symphony Orchestras and Their Music Directors, Information Please Database, 2007, Pearson Education, Inc.
  4. ^ Robert R. Faulkiner, "Career Concerns and Mobility Motivations of Orchestra Musicians", The Sociological Quarterly, Vol. 14, No. 3 (Summer, 1973), p. 336. Archived at JSTOR. Retrieved 28 March 2012. Subscription required.
  5. ^ Michael Walsh, Lee Griggs, James Shepherd, "Music: Which U.S. Orchestras Are Best?" Time, April 25, 1983. Retrieved 18 July 2010.
  6. ^ "Small Orchestra Organizations: Issues and Challenges" (PDF). Harmony. Symphony Orchestra Institute. 2001.
  7. ^ Jennifer Guerra (August 10, 2010). "Teens rock out at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra". Michigan Radio.
  8. ^ Zeke Jennings (October 9, 2012). "Once again, Jackson Symphony Orchestra showing willingness to take bold chances". All Michigan. MLive Media Group.