The rhythm of human life keeps accelerating: we work faster, sleep less, and eat on the go, yet some processes resist the passage of time. One symbol of constancy is traffic jams. It’s unlikely humanity will be free from this nightmare for drivers anytime soon, so let’s explore a list of the longest traffic jams in history and their causes.
1 Musichome Orchestra and Christian Television System – 8,076 musicians 
The most recent record took place in South Korea in December 2017. To be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, the orchestra had to play for more than 5 minutes (in fact, nearly 8 minutes), performing a Christian religious song twice.
2 Commerzbank Arena Stadium – 7,548 musicians 
It’s unclear which 75 orchestras participated in this event, but it took place at Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt in July 2016. The program was more diverse: musicians performed symphonies by Dvořák, Beethoven, as well as pieces by Andrew Lloyd Webber and John Miles.
3 Queensland Music Festival – 7,224 musicians 
The Queensland Music Festival, where Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” the unofficial Australian anthem “Waltzing Matilda,” and “We Will Rock You” were performed, took place in 2013. Interestingly, in addition to being the “largest orchestra,” the event also set records for the “largest woodwind orchestra,” the “largest percussion orchestra,” and the “largest clarinet orchestra.”
4 San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino – 2,297 musicians 
A smaller gathering took place a year earlier, but it attracted even more attention. This was the largest assembly of electronic drummers, initiated by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino in California, USA. The unusual and very loud performance featured “Back in Black” by AC/DC.
5 Music Man Project – 1,521 musicians 
In October 2017, London was awakened by the ringing of 1,521 metal triangles. Normally, this instrument plays a secondary role in an orchestra, but not this time!
6 North Sulawesi Art and Culture Festival – 1,223 musicians 
Xylophones often act as standalone instruments, but Indonesia had never seen such an impressive ensemble before. The Tondano Maesa stadium was filled with the sound of traditional kolintang xylophones for at least 5 minutes, which led to this event being included in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest xylophone orchestra.
7 Paris World’s Fair – 1,200 performers 
When Augusta Holmès was asked to compose music for the opening of the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, she aimed for something as grand as the Eiffel Tower. Her “Ode Triomphale” was designed for 1,200 performers—300 musicians and 900 singers.
8 Los Angeles Philharmonic and Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra – 1,011 performers 
Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, also called the “Symphony of a Thousand,” requires around 1,000 musicians. In 2012, it was performed in Caracas by a combined effort of two full orchestras and numerous volunteers.
9 Westminster Central Hall – 1,000 performers 
Brian Haverhill’s Symphony No. 1 “Gothic” was finally performed in 1961, though it had been written much earlier. Gathering two orchestras and ten choirs is a rare feat!
10 Mall of America, Handbell Musicians of America, Salvation Army – 664 musicians 
A total of 664 people performed “Carol of the Bells” and “Silver Bells” on handbells, making it one of the largest orchestras in history. This “ringing” event took place in Bloomington, USA, in 2016.
