The Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra presented its first concert of the spring semester on Saturday Feb. 26. Now In its 214th season, HRO is the nation’s oldest continuously-operating symphony orchestra. Here, we take a look behind the scenes at the music and magic of HRO, from dress rehearsal to backstage to showtime.

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Concert day begins in the afternoon, when the orchestra gathers in Sanders Theater for dress rehearsal.

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William Swett ‘22 rehearses on bass.

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Camden Archambeau ‘23 conducts the orchestra in rehearsal.

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At their call time, musicians make their way into the Green Room. Paul Tamburro ‘22, Sophie Choate ’23, and Joshua Halberstadt ’25 warm up before the concert.

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The air fills with nervous excitement as students unpack and tune their instruments, making final preparations before the concert.

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An empty stage waits to be filled as audience members begin filing into Sanders Theater.

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As the orchestra takes its place, Brian Tobin ‘23 warms up on percussion.

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With the audience quieted and the lights dimmed, the orchestra opens with their first piece of the night, debuting Hannah Lash’s “Forestallings.” Pictured here is harpist Gabrielle Grant ‘24.

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Archambeau conducts Zoltan Kodaly’s “Peacock Variations.”

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Kevin Miura ‘25 is the featured soloist in Max Bruch’s “Scottish Fantasy,” the orchestra’s final piece.

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The orchestra stands and receives applause as Federico Cortese, music director, shakes hands with Lash.