The Big Five orchestras of the United States are the five symphony orchestras that led the field in "musical excellence, calibre of musicianship, total contract weeks, weekly basic wages, recording guarantees, and paid vacations"Robert R. Faulkiner, "Career Concerns and Mobility Motivations of Orchestra Musicians", The Sociological Quarterly, vol. 14, no. 3 (Summer 1973), p. 336. when the term gained currency in the late 1950s and for some years afterwards.Fred Kirshnit, "New York Drops Off the List of 'Big Five' Orchestras", The New York Sun, December 5, 2006. Retrieved July 18, 2010. In order of foundation, they were:Michael Walsh, Lee Griggs, James Shepherd, "Music: Which U.S. Orchestras Are Best?" Time, April 25, 1983. Retrieved July 18, 2010.
