A symphony orchestra and a concert orchestra can look remarkably similar. Both may feature violinists, cellists, and musicians performing together under a conductor. So why do they have different names?
The main difference is that a symphony orchestra describes an established type of large orchestral ensemble, while “concert orchestra” is a more flexible name whose meaning depends on the organization using it.
At the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO), we perform music ranging from classical symphonies to live film scores and collaborations with featured artists. That variety illustrates an important point: an orchestra's name doesn't necessarily limit the music it can perform.
Let's look at what these terms mean, how orchestras differ from bands, and what you can expect when hearing an orchestra live.
Is a Symphony Orchestra the Same as an Orchestra?
All symphony orchestras are orchestras, but not every orchestra is a symphony orchestra.
An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, typically built around string instruments. Depending on its size and repertoire, it may also include woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
A symphony orchestra is a larger ensemble organized to perform music requiring a broad range of instruments.
A typical full-sized symphony orchestra may have approximately 70 to 100 or more musicians, although the number performing changes according to the composition.
Its instruments are generally organized into four families:
Strings: Violins, violas, cellos, and double basses
Woodwinds: Flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons
Brass: Trumpets, horns, trombones, and tubas
Percussion: Timpani, cymbals, and other percussion instruments
These families work together to create the variety of sounds associated with orchestral music.
A symphony orchestra can perform a symphony, but it can also play concertos, overtures, film scores, and music written for featured singers or other artists.
The word symphony also refers to a musical composition, not just the group performing it.
What Is a Concert Orchestra?
Unlike symphony orchestra, the term concert orchestra doesn't have one universally accepted meaning.
Its definition depends on where you encounter it.
For example, a school may use “Concert Orchestra” as the name of a student ensemble. Another organization might use the term to identify a particular performing group within a larger music program.
Sometimes it is simply part of an ensemble's official name.
Does Concert Orchestra Mean a Smaller Orchestra?
Not necessarily.
Some school concert orchestras are smaller than their symphonic counterparts. Others may have similar numbers of musicians but different skill expectations or instrumentation.
You cannot determine an orchestra's size from the word “concert” alone.
Is a Concert Orchestra for Beginners?
Not automatically.
In an educational setting, Concert Orchestra may designate one level within a school's music program. That level could be introductory or intermediate, depending on how the program organizes its students.
Elsewhere, the name may have no connection to the musicians' experience level.
If you're considering joining a concert orchestra, check the organization's requirements rather than assuming the name describes its difficulty.
For audiences, it's more useful to look at the group's repertoire, instrumentation, and performance description.
Symphony Orchestra vs. Concert Orchestra: Key Differences
Although the terms can overlap, comparing how they're commonly used can help clarify their meaning.
| Feature | Symphony orchestra | Concert orchestra |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Established term for a large orchestral ensemble | Context-dependent ensemble name |
| Typical size | Often around 70 to 100 or more musicians | Varies by organization |
| Instrumentation | Usually includes strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion | Depends on the group's structure |
| Repertoire | Symphonies, concertos, and other orchestral works | Depends on the ensemble |
| Where you'll see the term | Professional, community, university, and youth ensembles | Often educational or community organizations |
| Skill level | Determined by the organization | Determined by the organization |
The most important distinction is that “concert orchestra” is not a reliable way to identify a particular ensemble size, musical style, or level of ability.
A concert orchestra could perform challenging classical repertoire. A symphony orchestra could perform music from a popular film.
Names help identify groups, but the actual musicians and repertoire tell you more about the performance.
Symphony Orchestra vs. Philharmonic Orchestra
You may also come across the term philharmonic orchestra.
Is a philharmonic different from a symphony orchestra?
In ordinary usage, there is no fundamental musical distinction.
Both names commonly refer to large ensembles performing orchestral repertoire.
The difference is usually historical or organizational rather than musical.
For example, the New York Philharmonic and Boston Symphony Orchestra are both major professional orchestras, despite having different names.
An ensemble called a philharmonic doesn't necessarily have more musicians or perform a different category of compositions.
Likewise, the word “symphony” doesn't establish that an orchestra is more prestigious.
When comparing orchestras, examine their actual programming and musicians rather than relying on the name.
What Are the Main Types of Orchestras?
Beyond symphony and concert orchestras, several other labels can help you understand how an ensemble is organized.
Chamber Orchestra
A chamber orchestra is generally smaller than a full symphony orchestra.
It often performs repertoire requiring fewer musicians, although its instrumentation can vary.
With fewer players, individual instrumental lines may be easier to distinguish.
String Orchestra
A string orchestra primarily features violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
Unlike a typical full symphony orchestra, it doesn't maintain the same standard combination of woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
String orchestras appear in educational settings as well as professional concert programming.
Pops Orchestra
A pops orchestra is associated with programming that emphasizes popular or crossover repertoire.
Performances might feature film music, songs from musical theater, or arrangements of familiar popular music.
However, pops programming doesn't always require a separate orchestra.
The same professional symphony orchestra can perform a classical Masterworks concert on one occasion and a film score on another.
At HSO, our Films in Concert programming demonstrates how an orchestral ensemble can perform music associated with cinema.
The musicians are still performing orchestral music, even when the repertoire isn't a traditional symphony.
Concert Orchestra vs. Concert Band: Are They the Same?
The similarity between these names can create another misunderstanding.
A concert orchestra and a concert band are not interchangeable terms.
The most important difference is their typical instrumentation.
Orchestras are generally built around strings, with additional instrumental families depending on the ensemble.
Concert bands are primarily organized around woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments.
Concert bands commonly include instruments such as clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and euphoniums.
They generally don't include the standard violin, viola, and cello sections found in orchestras, although arrangements and specialized ensembles can make exceptions.
This difference in instrumentation helps explain why the groups often sound different.
An orchestra's bowed strings can sustain musical lines with a particular tonal character, while a concert band's wind and brass sections create a different combination of colors and textures.
Neither ensemble is inherently better or more advanced.
Both can perform demanding music, and both offer opportunities for musicians to develop their skills.
Does a Symphony Orchestra Only Play Classical Music?
No. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about symphony orchestras.
A professional symphony orchestra can perform established classical repertoire while also presenting contemporary compositions and collaborations across musical traditions.
At HSO, that range is reflected in our concert programming.
Halekulani Masterworks
Our Halekulani Masterworks series presents orchestral repertoire and featured guest artists.
These performances offer opportunities to hear music written for the full range of orchestral instruments.
Spotlight and HapaSymphony Collaborations
Our Spotlight programming includes collaborations with featured artists and performances that connect orchestral music with other musical traditions.
Our HapaSymphony work has brought Hawaiian artists together with symphonic musicians, reflecting the important place of Hawaiʻi's cultural identity in our artistic mission.
These collaborations demonstrate how an orchestra can expand its repertoire without becoming a different type of ensemble.
Films in Concert
During a film concert, we perform the score live while the movie plays on screen.
The music serves the film's story, but the performance still involves orchestral musicians working together under a conductor.
You can explore our concert series to understand the different kinds of performances we present.
The concert format may change, but the orchestra's instrumental capabilities allow us to perform across different styles.
What Should You Listen for at a Symphony Orchestra Concert?
Knowing the terminology is helpful, but hearing an orchestra perform can make the differences easier to understand.
When attending a symphony concert, pay attention to how the instrumental sections interact.
Listen to the Strings
String instruments often carry melodies, provide rhythmic patterns, or create sustained musical textures.
Notice how the sound changes when the violins play alone compared with passages involving the entire string section.
Notice the Woodwinds and Brass
Woodwind instruments can introduce distinctive melodic colors, while brass instruments may provide powerful accents or prominent themes.
Listen for moments when these sections take over a melody previously played by the strings.
Watch How the Conductor Leads
The conductor coordinates the musicians and helps shape the interpretation of the music.
Watch how different sections respond to changes in tempo or dynamics.
Hear How the Full Orchestra Comes Together
One of the most interesting moments in orchestral music occurs when different instrumental families combine.
You may hear a melody passed from one section to another, or several contrasting musical lines happening at once.
These details offer a practical way to appreciate the sound of an orchestra, even if you don't recognize the composition being performed.
How to Choose an Orchestra Concert in Hawaiʻi
If you're looking for a live orchestral experience, the best starting point isn't the distinction between “symphony” and “concert” orchestra.
It's the music you're interested in hearing.
Before choosing a performance, consider these questions:
Would you enjoy hearing a traditional orchestral composition?
Are you interested in a particular solo instrument or featured artist?
Would you prefer music connected to a familiar film?
Are you curious about orchestral collaborations reflecting Hawaiʻi's musical traditions?
You can then compare the event descriptions and featured performers to find something that matches your interests.
Our concert listings provide a starting point for exploring available performances.
Check the current program, venue, and ticket information before making plans, as details may change between performances.
Experience the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra Live
The difference between a symphony orchestra and a concert orchestra comes down primarily to how the names are used.
A symphony orchestra is an established type of large instrumental ensemble. A concert orchestra is a less standardized term that may describe different kinds of groups depending on the organization.
Neither name, by itself, determines the quality of the music or how enjoyable a performance will be.
At the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra, our programming shows how versatile a professional orchestra can be. From classical repertoire to film scores and collaborations with local artists, we invite audiences to experience orchestral music in different ways.
Explore our concerts and purchase tickets through our official Box Office.
If you have questions about a performance or need help planning your visit, contact our team.