Founded by Benjamin Zander in 1979, the BPO features professional, student and amateur musicians and is one of Boston's premier orchestras. Maestro Zander's intense belief in the transformative power of music along with his warmth and welcoming spirit are why our audiences describe the Boston Philharmonic as "passionate," "inspiring," "unique," and – perhaps our favorite descriptor – "un-stuffy." We present top-notch music in a manner that both music aficionados and the casual listener can enjoy. Launched in 2012, the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra includes 120 talented musicians between the ages of 12 and 21 who receive their musical training and Maestro Zander's leadership tuition free. And we are especially proud of our expansive outreach program 'Crescendo!' that engages and mentors students in the Boston public and charter schools throughout the year.