as in symphonies
a usually large group of musicians playing together
the orchestra will be performing a selection of Beethoven pieces tomorrow night
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Recent Examples of orchestras
Rising to fame in the 1940s as a crooner with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras, Sinatra quickly became a solo sensation, his smooth baritone and intimate phrasing redefining popular music for a generation of listeners.
—
Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Guest orchestras have become rare guests these days.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
If nothing else, playing off winners gives orchestras, conceptually speaking, terrible reputations.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University, leads the lectures.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Much of that owes to Jonny Greenwood’s score — its cello solos replacing the genre’s traditional guitar strings and sweeping orchestras — which gives the onscreen action an otherworldly feeling.
—Sezin Devi Keohler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
As the spotlight artist, Taylor will be out in the community and also expects to be working with the CSO’s youth orchestras.
—Adam Bell
february 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
At least two of the three pieces on Tuesday night’s program, at Moody Performance Hall, were conceived for orchestras smaller than our symphonic norms.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
When presented with the Bachtrack listing, CSO representatives on both the musician and management side agreed that the ensemble is very, very busy, as far as orchestras go.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 24 Mar. 2026
Guest orchestras have become rare guests these days.
—Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
If nothing else, playing off winners gives orchestras, conceptually speaking, terrible reputations.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026
Michael Gerdes, director of orchestras at San Diego State University, leads the lectures.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Much of that owes to Jonny Greenwood’s score — its cello solos replacing the genre’s traditional guitar strings and sweeping orchestras — which gives the onscreen action an otherworldly feeling.
—Sezin Devi Keohler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
As the spotlight artist, Taylor will be out in the community and also expects to be working with the CSO’s youth orchestras.
—Adam Bell
february 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
At least two of the three pieces on Tuesday night’s program, at Moody Performance Hall, were conceived for orchestras smaller than our symphonic norms.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
When presented with the Bachtrack listing, CSO representatives on both the musician and management side agreed that the ensemble is very, very busy, as far as orchestras go.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orchestras
symphonies
Noun
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Sunlight, scalpers and symphonies, in readers’ eyes.—
Letters to the Editor,
Washington Post,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Now back in Cincinnati, LaVigne performs all over the world with symphonies, at special events and as a cruise headliner.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orchestras.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orchestras. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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