NEW YORK —The New York Philharmonic is considering allowing female musicians to wear pants while playing Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

The New York Times reports that the 176-year-old orchestra has been quietly talking about relaxing its requirement that women wear floor-length black skirts or gowns at formal evening concerts.

The Times says the Philharmonic is alone among the nation’s 20 largest orchestras in not letting women wear pants at all performances.

The San Francisco Symphony now gives women the option of wearing all-black dresses, long skirts or pantsuits.

– From news service reports