Netflix has unveiled the official trailer for The Only Girl in the Orchestra, a short documentary that tells the story of double bassist Orin O’Brien. Directed by her niece, Molly O’Brien, the film follows Orin’s journey as the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic, performing under the direction of the legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein.

The documentary world premiered at DOC NYC, then screened at DC/DOX; and was recently nominated for Critics Choice Documentary Award for Best Short Documentary.

Release Date

Directed by Molly O’Brien, The Only Girl in the Orchestra streams on Netflix on December 4, 2024.

Synopsis

This short documentary celebrates trailblazing double bassist Orin O’Brien, the first woman to become a full-time member of the New York Philharmonic.

“I just feel so lucky that I was able to do something that I loved all my life, and I was so lucky that I landed in my favorite orchestra,” says the subject of the documentary, Orin O’Brien, in an interview with The New York Times. “When my father would pick me and my brother up, he would ask, “Are you coming into church?” I would say, “No, I’m going to stay in the car and listen to the New York Philharmonic.” And that’s when I decided music was my religion.”

Reviews

Alan French in a Sunshine State Cineplex review praised the documentary, writing, “The Only Girl in the Orchestra provides a beautiful portrait of an unsung hero. Yet Orin O’Brien’s legacy in friends and family proves every bit as important as her effect on the New York Philharmonic. This is a wonderful short and makes for a perfect blend of tribute and introspection.”

Chris Jones from Overly Honest Reviews gave the documentary a 3.5/5 score, writing, “The Only Girl in the Orchestra is a lyrical homage to life echoed in every note played. This narrative symphony will undoubtedly inspire audiences to listen closely to the unsung heroes of their own lives. This is a film where the legacy is heard in the music and deeply felt long after the final frame dims and the theater falls silent.”

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for The Only Girl in the Orchestra.