History

The Conductors
The roots of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra (GSO) extend back to the 1920's when a group of musicians at Woman's College (now UNCG) banded together under the direction of Henry Fuchs. In 1939, the Dean of Music at the Woman's College, H. Hugh Altvater, formally organized the group as the Greensboro Orchestra, which was financially sustained by the college. In 1951, when Concertmaster George Dickieson, head of the Woman's College Violin Department became the conductor, the orchestra began to gain considerable community support and became a member of the American Symphony Orchestra League. An advisory committee was formed to further the development of the orchestra which later became independent of the University. The Greensboro Symphony Society became an independent organization and eventually assumed total financial responsibility for the Orchestra.

In 1959, the Greensboro Symphony Society was created with the goals of promoting and fostering musical culture and education in the community. Under the leadership of Miles Wolff, the first president of the Symphony Society and editor of the Greensboro Daily News & Record, the Society was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1959. In 1963, Thomas Cousins was appointed conductor. The steady growth in size, coupled with the orchestra's image in the community, prompted the Society's decision to assume responsibility for the conductor's salary. In 1964, Miles Wolff led the development of the Greensboro Symphony Guild to aid the Greensboro Symphony Society in the promotion of an orchestra in the community.

The Junior League was enlisted to help organize this community-based guild comprised of dedicated women. In 1967, Sheldon Morgenstern became the first conductor to be supported by the Society. In 1975, Dr. Peter Paul Fuchs became Music Director/Conductor. At the conclusion of the 1986/87 season, Maestro Fuchs was honored with the title of Conductor Laureate. Paul Anthony McRae joined the orchestra as its Music Director in June of 1987 and led the Orchestra for more than eight seasons. Stuart Malina, a graduate of Harvard University, Yale School of Music and the Curtis Institute of Music, became the Symphony's sixth Music Director in May of 1996. Upon his departure in 2003, the Greensboro Symphony world-renowned violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky as the seventh Music Director in its history.

Community Outreach
The Symphony's educational programs, supported by the NC Arts Council and the Greensboro Symphony Guild, served more than 50,000 students during the 2007-2008 season. The Music in the Middle and the Elementary Student programs were designed to correlate with the appropriate grade curriculum. The Greensboro Symphony's educational theme for 2005/2006 was “BEETHOVEN BREAKS THE RULES!” The goal of “BEETHOVEN BREAKS THE RULES!” was to feature the life and music of the German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the world’s most prolific composers whose masterpieces have been enjoyed by concert goers around the world for centureis. This educational program was not only musically and visually entertaining, but the young audiences learned how Beethoven broke the rules by enlarging the orchestra to include a piccolo and three trombones, the first time either instrument was used in a symphony. The 2006/2007 Educational Program, PIANO PIZZAZZ, will focus on the history of the piano and on world famous music that gave rise to the great piano virtuosos of history. The program will feature examples of piano concertos from yesterday and today. Through the program, students will learn how composers historically wrote for patrons and the church. As history progressed, they began writing more and more for a growing public. Virtuosos traveled all over the world performing these masterpieces.

The program will begin with a brief history of the piano as it developed from earlier keyboard instruments, such as the harpsichord and the clavichord. Students will then learn about early efforts in the concerto form as the piano begins to take its place as the premier solo instrument. Turning to music from the 20th century, students will hear Rachmaninoff’s thrilling “Variation on a Theme of Paganini.” Throughout three variations, an understandable and straightforward explanation of variation form is introduced. Students hear the theme returning in the three sections. David Foster’s driving and rhythmic “Winter Games,” written to celebrate the 1998 Winter Olympics, continues this trend, with drums and bass. Film music from Harry Potter will show students how keyboard instruments are still being used in orchestral music and the program will close with Gershwin’s always popular Rhapsody in Blue.
As part of the program, four Greensboro Symphony instrumental ensembles will visit every (64) Guilford County elementary school and provide a close-up experience for elementary students in a classroom setting. Ensemble members will engage students in dialogue with games and questions about music, sound, the physics of sound and the instruments. The orKIDstra Series will be performed for pre-school and kindergarten students in Guilford County Schools. Adult Education Programs will include Music at Midday (a music appreciation series held in January and February at area retirement communities) Concert Preludes (pre-concert lectures by guest speakers, open to all classical concert-goers) and Postludes, an after concert conversation with the Music Director and guest artists.


Youth Involvement
In its 36th season, the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra performed three formal concerts and held a concerto competition that awarded a solo performance opportunity with the GSYO to three exceptionally talented students. Tuition, private lesson and summer study scholarships were awarded to 30 students. The GSYO made its first CD in 2001 and has also had the honor of giving a concert at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The Greensboro Symphony Youth Strings enjoyed continued growth during 2002-2003 and presented two concerts at the Recital Hall at the UNCG School of Music building. It provides an opportunity for young musicians to participate in a fun and educational ensemble setting with their peers. During the 2005/2006 season, a NEW Youth Orchestra program – ALLEGRO STRINGS – debuted for young elementary students who would like the opportunity to learn to play their instruments in an ensemble.

The Lillian Rauch Instrument Loan and Music Scholar program continued to flourish, and the program grew from 15 to 18 students who study bass, cello, violin, viola, and piano with professional musicians from the Greensboro Symphony. The program is held at Hampton Elementary School, and students are loaned a string instrument and provided with group lessons. Beginning Strings classes were held at Peck, Jones, and elementary schools for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students who are interested in learning a stringed instrument. Those students who choose to continue will eventually be eligible to participate in the Instrument Loan and Music Scholar Program, the Youth Strings, and even the GSYO.

Endowment Fund
The Greensboro Symphony Endowment Fund was started in 1986 when the Symphony Guild contributed $50,000 toward endowing the $250,000 Concertmaster's Chair. The endowment of the Chair was completed in 1995. Guild member Kay Edwards and Maurice Jennings launched a successful campaign, which accomplished the $1 million mark in the Fund. The Guild supports the endowment each year. The fund surpassed $3 Million during the 2007-2008 season. The Endowment has been under the leadership of Guild member Caroline M. Lee for many years. Led by Barbara Cone, a special initiative was undertaken by Endowment donors who contributed additional funds in honor of Caroline Lee's dedication to the GSO endowment. The Associate Concertmaster's Chair has been endowed in her name.

Associations
The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra is a funded member of the North Carolina Arts Council and the United Arts Council of Greensboro.

Web design and development by Symetri