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, founded in 1964. We rehearse major orchestral works in a single session without preparing for public concerts.

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. There are no concerts, no audience, and new repertoire every rehearsal.

When and where does OSP rehearse?

OSP rehearses every Friday from 7:30 to 10:00 PM at the Esther Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University — Presser Hall, Room 240 (Arronson Hall), 2001 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122.

Can I just show up to an OSP rehearsal?

String players are welcome to walk in at any time. Wind and brass players should contact OSP in advance, as those chairs may be full but substitutes are often needed. Percussion, harp, and piano players should contact us based on the repertoire being rehearsed.

Who plays in the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia?

OSP attracts professional musicians, advanced amateurs, and serious players returning to their instrument. The orchestra is designed for musicians who can read orchestral music comfortably and keep up in a fast-paced rehearsal.

Are there concerts or performances?

No. OSP is a reading orchestra — there are no concerts, no tickets, and no audience. Each Friday rehearsal is a complete experience in itself.

Where can I find parts for OSP rehearsals?

Parts can be signed out at the current week's rehearsal for the following week. Most parts are on loan from the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music at the Philadelphia Free Library. Public domain parts are also available for free download at IMSLP (imslp.org).

How long has the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia been running?

OSP was founded in 1964 and is one of the oldest reading orchestras of its kind in the United States.

Schedule

Explore the upcoming Friday evening rehearsal schedule for the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, a unique community orchestra committed to providing an opportunity for musicians of all levels to come together, refine their skills, and enhance their orchestral experience. Our rehearsals feature an exciting variety of composers and works, offering something for everyone. Each rehearsal on our schedule provides a chance to dive into classical masterpieces, contemporary works, and hidden gems from lesser-known composers. Whether it’s the timeless symphonies of Beethoven, the vibrant compositions of Tchaikovsky, or innovative pieces from modern composers, our rehearsals promise a rich and varied musical experience.

Orchestra Society Upcoming Schedule

Rehearsal Date :

Rehearsal Date	Venue	Composer	Work	Featured Guest	Role	Instrumentation
10/16/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Johannes Brahms	Tragic Overture	Brian Cox	Conductor	3222 4231 Timp
10/16/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Camille Saint-Saëns	Suite algérienne, Op. 60	Brian Cox	Conductor	3222 4431 Timp Perc
10/16/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Anton Dvorak	Two Waltzes, Op. 54	Brian Cox	Conductor	3222 4230 Timp Perc Hp
10/23/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Ottorino Respighi	Fountains of Rome	Jason DePue	Conductor	3332 4331 tmp+3 2hp Cel Pno
10/23/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Édouard Lalo	Cello Concerto	Jason DePue	Conductor	2222 4230 Timp
10/23/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Édouard Lalo	Cello Concerto in D minor	Bob Cafaro	Cello soloist	2222 4230 Timp
10/30/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Dmitri Shostakovich	Symphony #8	Jack Moore	Conductor	4343 4331 T P
11/06/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240			Robert Schiavinato	Conductor
11/13/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Richard Wagner	Overture to Die Meistersinger	Mark Inchoco	Conductor	3222 4331 Timp Hp
11/13/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Johann Sebastian Bach	Prelude and Fugue in Eb (arr. Arnold Schoenberg)	Mark Inchoco	Conductor	4464 4441 Timp Perc Hp Cel
11/20/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	César Franck	Les Éolides	Marcelo Devita	Conductor	2222 4200 Timp Perc Hp
11/20/2026	Temple U - Presser Hall Rm 240	Maurice Ravel	Le Tombeau de Couperin	Marcelo Devita	Conductor	2222 2100 Hp
11/27/2026	No rehearsal - Thanksgiving Weekend
Rehearsal Date

Where do we rehearse?

We rehearse each Friday night in Temple University’s Presser Hall, Room 240.
Arronson Hall rehearsal room 240 is on the 2nd floor – there is an 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).

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Like what you see on the schedule? Learn more about the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia!

Orchestra Society of Philadelphia Bassoons