The Dual Identity of Boston Musicians

The prestigious Boston Symphony Orchestra and the lighthearted Boston Pops are essentially the same group of people. Founded by the same man, the two ensembles share nearly all the same musicians.

While the Boston Symphony Orchestra is world-famous for its rigorous classical repertoire, the Boston Pops was created to perform lighter, more accessible music. Because these two organizations share the same talented performers, the players essentially switch musical gears throughout the year. It is a unique arrangement that allows the city to maintain both high-art symphonic traditions and fun, popular concert series. This internal overlap is a major reason why both groups maintain such a high level of excellence.