Hogwarts orchestra

Hogwarts orchestra
Organisation information
Leader(s)	Filius Flitwick
Headquarters	Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle (presumably)
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

This orchestra was a musical group comprised of students from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They would sometimes play by themselves, but also as public entertainment, and accompany the Frog Choir. The orchestra was comprised of saxophonists, violinists, cellists, flutists, drummers, harpists, tubists, harpsichordists and timpanists. Professor Flitwick was a known conductor of the orchestra.

History

1993–1994 school year

The orchestra and the Frog Choir lead a presentation of Something Wicked This Way Comes

On 1 September 1993, the orchestra and the Frog Choir led a presentation of Something Wicked This Way Comes during the Start-of-Term Feast after the Sorting Ceremony. The choir members sang while carrying toads (one of which was Trevor, Neville Longbottom's toad) which croaked during the song, and were accompanied by a harpsichord, a drum, a harp, and flutes. While Filius Flitwick joined the feast, the choir and the orchestra retreated from the Hall after the song.

The Triwizard Tournament

Flitwick beginning the performance at the Yule Ball

In the 1994–1995 school year, the Triwizard Tournament was held at the school and the orchestra played just before the third task for public entertainment. These songs included The Hogwarts March, which was recited frequently. The choir also performed at the Yule Ball on Christmas Eve. Flitwick led the orchestra as they played a waltz at the beginning of the dance, but they stopped when the Weird Sisters took over from them.

School balls

The orchestra played at regular school balls held at Hogwarts during the 21st century.

Chinese New Year

The orchestra playing during Chinese New Year celebrations

During Chinese New Year celebrations at Hogwarts, the orchestra played in the Great Hall conducted by Flitwick, with Cassandra Vole playing the piano.

Behind the scenes

• Neither the choir nor the orchestra appear in any of the books, making their first appearance in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It was added by director Alfonso Cuarón and J. K. Rowling admitted that she simply loved the idea. Cuarón considered having little people play an organ in the Great Hall along with the choir but this idea was rejected by Rowling.
• The orchestra in all instances is made up a collection of students from the Aylesbury Music Centre, as it is situated close to Pinewood Studios where the majority of the scenes are filmed.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Possible appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film)
• Harry Potter: Magic Awakened