So When Does an Orchestra Become a Symphony Orchestra?
An orchestra is a musical group thatthree types of instruments: woodwinds (e.g., flutes, clarinets, oboes), percussion (e.g., drums, triangles, cymbals), and strings (e.g., violins, cellos, basses). It can be as small as four or five members.
A symphony orchestra is an orchestra capable of playing symphonies – longer pieces that require more instruments. So symphony orchestras have more members and add brass instruments (e.g., trumpets, tubas) to the mix.So how about a philharmonic orchestra? An orchestra becomes philharmonic when there is already a symphony orchestra in town. It’s a way to distinguish between the two.(Source: Mental Floss and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra)
“HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN YOUR (STRING) QUARTET?–ART PEPPER–PARAPHRASE