Orchestrology Becomes First-Ever Media Platform Dedicated to Orchestral Crossover Music

For the last 300 years, performance ensembles have gotten smaller and smaller. Orchestras were at their peak in the 18th century, with composers such as Mozart and Tchaikovsky writing music for hundreds of players. Next came jazz big bands with 15-20. Then came rock bands with three to five. Then solo artists. Now, with AI, zero people are involved.

Well, human beings have quickly realized that it’s in our nature to connect through art, and so orchestras are reemerging in every facet of popular music. Seasoned music journalist Harry Levin is documenting this comeback with Orchestrology.

This media platform will start with three key elements: a podcast, newsletter, and social media content. The monthly podcast will host prominent figures who exist at the intersection of orchestral music and popular music. The first guest is HAYLA, who joins Orchestrology in advance of the release of her new album DARK. The UK-based singer, songwriter and artist is known for her #1 dance hits such as “Where You Are” with John Summit, “Escape” with Kx5 and “Fall Again,” but has also performed with orchestras during the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall in London and Pete Tong’s “Ibiza Classics” tour.

The second guest will be Derrick Hodge, who has arranged orchestral parts for numerous rappers including Nas, Common, Anderson .Paak, and Jeezy. With the latter, he set a Guinness World Record for hosting the largest orchestra ever to perform with a hip-hop act (101 players). Hodge also arranged all the orchestral parts for the guest artists during the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Coachella performance, welcoming Laufey, Dave Grohl, LL Cool J, Cynthia Erivo, Zedd, and many more. Most recently, he arranged orchestral parts for the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show.

The newsletter will host articles exploring why and how orchestral music is becoming popular again.

Speaking on the platform, Levin says:

“As a 15-year raver who started his music career playing trombone in middle school band, I could not be more thrilled about how orchestras are joining every genre of popular music. With my diverse experience, I could always hear the connections between different styles, no matter how separate they may seem. Now we’re seeing every style relate to each other and getting some unbelievable performances that harken back to my earliest musical experiences.

“More importantly, these performances will inspire the next generation to pick up a violin or a trumpet and then download Ableton. It makes me incredibly excited for the future of music, and I will do my part to help spread this beautiful expression of human will as far as I can.”