Ensembles & Activities
Hopkins Symphony Orchestra consists of two orchestras. The Symphony Orchestra is the flagship symphonic orchestra, with a typical ensemble size of 80-90 musicians for each concert performing standard and contemporary symphonic literature including commissions, concertos, opera, and oratorios. The Concert Orchestra is a smaller ensemble, with typically 40-50 musicians for each concert, performing symphonic and chamber orchestra repertoire. The Concert Orchestra is less performance-based, and more training-based, with a focus on building musicianship and ensemble skills.
The following chart provides a detailed side-by-side comparison of the ensembles.
Hopkins Symphony Orchestra musicians are JHU students (undergraduate and graduate), JHU alumni/faculty/staff, and area musicians with no other direct JHU affiliation. HSO is an extracurricular program of Johns Hopkins University, within the Homewood Arts Programs.
Ensemble info below is subject to change.
| Symphony Orchestra | Concert Orchestra | |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor | Jed Gaylin | |
| Performances | 4 Symphonic and 1 Family Concert | 2 Concerts |
| Rehearsals | Typically 8 per concert, Monday evenings 7-9:30pm, added Thursday & Friday rehearsals on concert week. | Typically 7 per concert, Sat/Sun 2-4:30pm, including dress rehearsal on concert day. |
| Concert Times | Saturdays at 7:30pm, Family Concert on a Sunday, 3pm. | Sunday afternoons, 3pm. |
| Rehearsal & Concert Venues | Shriver Hall | Bunting-Meyerhoff Interfaith Center |
| Repertoire | Standard and contemporary symphonic literature. Concerts typically features a guest soloist. Other repertoire includes commissions and world premieres, and choral/opera selections. | Standard, contemporary, and chamber orchestra repertoire. Typically, one concert per year is strings-only repertoire. Concerts also feature small chamber ensemble performances. While HCO performs 2 concerts a year, it serves as a training orchestra and focuses on building musicianship and ensemble skills. |
| Ensemble Size | 80-90 | 40-50 |
| Admission | By audition only, each September. Acceptance into the symphony is very competitive, and is more selective than for the concert orchestra. Mid-season admission is extremely rare. Musicians accepted into the symphony orchestra are welcome also to play in the concert orchestra. | By audition only, each September. Mid-season admission is rare, but can be arranged as needed. Acceptance into concert orchestra is less competitive than the symphony orchestra. HCO is a training-based orchestra with a focus on building musicianship skills. Musicians accepted only into the concert orchestra are not permitted to play in the symphony orchestra unless they re-audition successfully. |
| Required Commitment | Most concerts each season; at least 6 of 8 rehearsals per concert. | 2 concerts each season; attendance required at rehearsals. |
| Concert Dress | Option 1: Black tuxedo or suit jacket, black trousers, white shirt, black bow tie, black dress shoes, long black socks Option 2: Full-length black dress with ¾ sleeve (minimum) Option 3: Dressy black top with ¾ sleeve (minimum) paired with ankle length skirt or black pants | Option 1: Solid black button-front long-sleeved dress shirt or long-sleeved turtleneck, black dress trousers, black dress shoes, long black socks Option 2: Full-length black dress with ¾ sleeve (minimum) Option 3:Dressy black top with ¾ sleeve (minimum) paired with ankle length skirt or black pants |
| Membership for Both Orchestras</span | Open to JHU undergraduate and graduate students from all schools except the Peabody Conservatory; JHU faculty, staff, alumnae/i; and community musicians. Qualified JHU undergraduates are given first priority for admission. | |
| Chamber Ensembles | Musicians may form independent chamber ensembles, request coaching, and, if they wish, request to perform at Concert Orchestra performances. A portion of each Concert Orchestra concert is allotted for chamber ensemble performances. | |
| Concerto Competition | Bi-annual concerto competition open to all JHU undergraduate and graduate students not majoring in music. Winner/s are invited to play with the Symphonic and Concert orchestras as designated by judges. | |