Polytech Orchestra

Polytech Orchestra
Polytech Orchestra logo
Native namePolyteknikkojen Orkesteri
Short namePO
Founded1922 (1922)
LocationOtaniemi, Espoo
Principal conductorJames S. Kahane
WebsiteOrchestra website

The Polytech Orchestra (Finnish: Polyteknikkojen Orkesteri; PO) is a symphony orchestra based in Otaniemi, Espoo.

It was founded in 1922 and is thus the oldest Finnish academic student orchestra. The conductor of the orchestra is currently James S. Kahane. There are about 100 active musicians at the PO, most of whom are students from Aalto University and other universities and schools within the greater Helsinki area.

PO's annual concert program includes autumn, Christmas and spring concerts in the Helsinki metropolitan area and a spring tour to various parts of Finland. The orchestra has also performed abroad in Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, the Baltic states, Sweden and Scotland. The PO concert program is complemented by various charity and subscription concerts, such as the Printempo Concert at the Aalto University's alongside other music communities (Dominante, The Polytech Choir, Retuperän WBK, Boston Promenade, Polirytmi, Humpsvakar, the Kauppakorkeakoulun Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat (KYL, Helsinki Academic Male Choir) and the Helsinki Academic Female Choir (KYN). The orchestra includes as well several smaller bands, such as their string quartets, the horn quartet Cornostar and the Polytechnic's Salon Orchestra.