Welcome to The Orchestra Society of Philadelphia
A Reading Orchestra for Advanced Musicians
Play great orchestral music. No concerts. No pressure. Just music.
One rehearsal. One program. No repetition.
“One of the city’s noncommercial treasures.” – Philadelphia Inquirer
History
Founded in 1964, OSP is a long-running Philadelphia community orchestra that brings together professional musicians, teachers, students, and advanced amateurs to read major orchestral repertoire under experienced conductors.
What is the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia?
OSP is a Philadelphia community orchestra built around a reading model for advanced musicians, one of the longest-running ensembles of its kind.
We rehearse major orchestral works in a single session without preparing for concerts.
Musicians come together to:
- sight-read significant repertoire
- explore challenging works
- play at a high level in a low-pressure setting
There are no concerts, no tickets, and no long rehearsal cycles.
What is a Reading Orchestra?
A reading orchestra is an ensemble that focuses on playing through orchestral repertoire for experience and development, rather than preparing for public performance.
Key differences from a traditional orchestra:
- No concerts or audience
- New repertoire each rehearsal
- Minimal repetition
- Emphasis on musicianship and sight reading
This format allows musicians to experience a wide range of works that are rarely accessible outside professional settings.
Looking for a Community Orchestra Near You?
Many musicians search for a “community orchestra near me” to find opportunities to play.
OSP is a Philadelphia community orchestra designed for advanced players who want:
– high-level repertoire
– minimal rehearsal commitment
– no performance pressure
Unlike most community orchestras, OSP does not prepare for concerts. Each week is a complete experience. You play the repertoire once, then move on to the next program.
Our next rehearsal
| wdt_ID | wdt_created_by | wdt_created_at | wdt_last_edited_by | wdt_last_edited_at | Rehearsal Date | Venue | composerfirstname | Composer | Work | First Name | Last Name | Role | Instrumentation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.805 | anonymous_user | 06/12/2026 07:30 PM | anonymous_user | 07/01/2026 01:56 AM | 08/21/2026 | Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240 | Aram | Khachaturian | Spartacus Suites 1 and 3 | Jack | Moore | Conductor | 3332 4431 T Hp Cel Piano |
Join
How Rehearsals Work
- When: Friday evenings, 7:30–10:00 PM
- Where: Esther Boyer College of Music, Temple University, Philadelphia
- Format: One rehearsal per program
- Repertoire: Major orchestral works, new each session
Each rehearsal is a complete experience. You arrive, read, and move on to the next work the following week.
Where do we rehearse?
We rehearse each Friday night in Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance, Presser Hall, Room 240.
Arronson Hall (Room 240) is located on the 2nd floor of Presser Hall and is accessible by elevator.
There is well-lit and Temple police-patrolled street parking around the building.
Click here for map of the Temple campus. Presser Hall is building 44.
What time is rehearsal?
All rehearsals are 7:30 – 10:00 PM.
What does a typical rehearsal look like?
The first half of rehearsal, we work through sections of the piece(s).
We have a 10-15 minute break.
The second half, we run the piece as though we were performing (meaning no/few stops).
Who It’s For
OSP is designed for musicians who:
- read orchestral music comfortably
- keep up in a fast-paced rehearsal
- want serious playing without performance pressure
Who Plays in OSP?
OSP attracts a mix of:
- professional musicians
- advanced amateurs
- serious players returning to their instrument
Can I just show up?
- Strings: Walk in anytime
- Winds & Brass: Contact us for availability or substitute opportunities
- Percussion / Harp / Piano: Contact us based on repertoire needs
Where can I find parts?
Sign Out a Part
We have parts available to sign out for next week’s music at current week’s rehearsal. Most of our scores and parts are taken out on loan from the The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music of the Philadelphia Free Library.
Download from IMSLP
PDF copies of parts for our rehearsal selections, when they are in the public domain, are often available for download at no cost at the International Music Score Library Project – IMSLP – Petrucci Music Library.
Why Musicians Join OSP
- Access to major repertoire without long commitments
- Opportunity to play works not often programmed elsewhere
- A focused, efficient rehearsal experience
- A community of serious, capable players
Many musicians use OSP to:
- maintain their playing level
- sharpen sight reading
- stay connected to orchestral music