History

Founded in 1978 by Harvard chaplain and visionary Larry Hill, Pro Arte is one of only four cooperative orchestras in the country. Unlike traditional orchestras, Pro Arte’s players, as well as the conductor, decide what music the Orchestra will perform and who the guest artists will be.

“A special spirit comes across because we really care about what we’re doing. We’re not hired by someone else but have chosen to play because we love to perform with Pro Arte,” says Orchestra president and founding member Barbara Englesberg. “Many of us have been together a long time,” adds violinist Mary Alyce Groman; “there’s a lot of respect and camaraderie.”