上海民族樂團成立於一九五二年，是全國最早建立的大型民族樂團，樂團擁有一支八十人的大型樂隊，並設有作曲指揮、獨奏、獨唱三個藝術家小組。
經過數十年的藝術實踐，樂團以訓練有素，配合默契和演奏精湛而著稱。經常上演氣勢宏大的民族管弦樂合奏，以及江南絲竹、廣東音樂、彈撥樂合奏等富有特色的中小型節目。樂團積累了豐富的曲目，受到中外聽眾的好評。樂團創作活躍，許多作品曾在「上海之春」、「上海藝術節」中獲獎，並流傳到海內外。
多年來，樂團薈萃了一批聲譽卓著的演奏家，並培養了許多樂壇新秀。樂團每年為學生舉行普及音樂會，為介紹民族音樂作了不懈的努力，通過電台及電視，將新的作品介紹給廣大聽眾。樂團每年為全國各地以及香港、台灣、新加坡等地的唱片公司錄製唱片和錄音帶，在國內外獲得高度評價。
樂團經常為來訪的外國元首、政府首腦和藝術團體演出，每年都有藝術家到國外進行訪問演出、學術交流和講學輔導。曾出訪美國、德國、日本、法國、瑞士、澳洲、新西蘭等四十多個國家和地區。
Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, established in 1952, is the earliest large-scale Chinese traditional orchestra in China. The orchestra consists of an 80-member ensemble and has three artist groups for composition, conducting, solo performance, and vocal performance.
After decades of artistic practice, the orchestra has gained a reputation for its well-trained musicians, excellent coordination, and superb performances. They frequently stage grand national orchestral performances, as well as distinctive programs featuring Jiangnan Silk and Bamboo music, Cantonese music, plucked strings and percussion ensembles, and other medium-sized programs. The orchestra has accumulated a rich repertoire and received acclaim from audiences both in China and abroad. They actively engage in composition, and many of their works have won awards at the “Shanghai Spring Festival” and “Shanghai Arts Festival” and have been widely circulated at home and abroad.
Over the years, the orchestra has gathered a group of highly acclaimed performers and nurtured many rising stars in the music industry. They hold annual music concerts for students to promote music education and make unremitting efforts to introduce ethnic music. Through radio and television, they present new works to a wide range of listeners. The orchestra records albums and tapes for record companies in various regions of China, as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and other places, gaining high recognition both domestically and internationally.
The orchestra frequently performs for visiting foreign heads of state, government leaders, and artistic groups. Every year, artists from the orchestra go on overseas visits to perform, engage in academic exchanges, and deliver lectures. They have visited more than 40 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and others.