A different set of factors--principally student conductors and a lower time commitment--draw students to TCO, Rous says.

And while MSO and BSO are about the same size, MSO is more "relaxed" according to MSO President Jessica I. Chuang '00.

Musical selection distinguished the recently revived Harvard Pops from the others. The group's repertoire includes music from popular cinema.

Trying to Pick Up the Tune

Many first-years say the subtleties of the groups' identities are lost on them.

"I don't really know the difference between Bach Society and Mozart Society," says Michelstein, who tried out for all five orchestras.

"They both seem like great orchestras, but I didn't really understand the difference. Bach Society doesn't just play Bach, and Mozart Society doesn't just play Mozart," she adds.

In order to inform and recruit first-years, many orchestras sent out mailings over the summer, and some students say these mailings were helpful in choosing a group.

"I received a number of letters from each of the respective orchestras detailing their goals or what they were about," says John M. Gansner '02, a violinist who tried out for all the orchestras.

Gansner said that the letters he received helped him decide on an orchestra, but that ultimately his decision to join BSO was based in large part on his contact with student leaders.

"I was impressed by the student directors who gave me my auditions," he says.

Some group leaders say they fear that when first-years decide on the basis of brief mailings and quick impressions, the less prominent orchestras get short shrift due to lack of name recognition.

"[First-years] know HRO and they know Bach Society," Rous says, but then they wonder "and what's this Mozart thing and what's this TCO thing and what about the Pops?"

"I think normally people say, well, if I get into HRO, I'll do HRO, and if I get into Bach Society I'll do that because they're the most competitive and prestigious," Rous adds.

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