Orchestra Info

If you are looking for general information about student orchestras at Harvard, the Bach Society Orchestra maintains a brief but excellent guide.

The DHO Orchestra, one of the premier on-campus ensembles of its size, has always been crucial to the success of every DHO production. Most of our orchestra members also perform regularly with the Bach Society Orchestra and the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. If you would like to join the orchestra, please check back for information about auditions.

If you have any questions, please contact the Orchestra Manager.

Frequently Asked Questions: DHO Orchestra

What are the auditions like?

New members will be asked to play a short solo (3-6 minutes) that demonstrates both musicianship and technique, and then sightread a short passage.

What is the time commitment for the show?

Ideally, there will be one 2- to 3-hour rehearsal almost every weekend before winter break. Rehearsals are generally suspended during reading period, exams, and intersession, though if the music director feels it necessary to review the music before dress rehearsals, he may call one rehearsal during reading period. Following intersession, there will be a week of final rehearsals before the show opens in mid-February. Many of our players take part in numerous other orchestras and groups without any problems.

What are the dates of the show, and what other groups does it conflict with?

The DHO show typically opens the second weekend of February. We occasionally conflict with the MSO February concert. We do not conflict with any choir and the only show that runs at the same time is the Hasty Pudding Show. As mentioned above, most orchestra players participate in numerous other groups without conflict.

I'm not a Harvard undegraduate - can I audition for the orchestra?

Please contact the DHO Orchestra Manager. Whilst all singers must be Harvard undergraduates, occasionally we look outside the College for additional instrumentalists when needed.