The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra is the oldest continuously active symphony orchestra in the United States. Founded in 1808, the orchestra delivers professional-quality performances to the Harvard, Cambridge, and greater Boston communities four times each academic year, in addition to initiating a variety of outreach programs on equitable arts access and music education. With Music Director Federico Cortese, its entirely student-run board, its 100+ current members, and an alumni base of 2,800+, the orchestra regularly fosters a vibrant musical and artistic scene for its targeted communities.
From the moment of his debut in September 1998, stepping in at short notice to conduct Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in place of Seiji Ozawa, Federico Cortese's work as Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony was widely praised.
MEET OUR CONDUCTOR→
All HRO musicians are also full-time students at Harvard University, primarily at the undergraduate level. They hail from all parts of the country and the world.
MEET OUR ORCHESTRA MEMBERS→.jpg)
In addition to being an official Harvard class and student orchestra, HRO is also a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. HRO is entirely run by an undergraduate student board that manages concert and rehearsal logistics, publicity efforts, finances and taxes, member engagement, community outreach, international tours, and more.
MEET OUR STUDENT BOARD→
