The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is a symphonic
orchestra located in
Huntsville, Alabama. The current
conductor
Conductor or conduction may refer to:
Music
* Conductor (music), a person who leads a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra.
* ''Conductor'' (album), an album by indie rock band The Comas
* Conduction, a type of structured free improvisation ...
and
music director
A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organization. This would include the artistic director and usually chief conductor of an orchestra or concert band, the d ...
is
Gregory Vajda. Vajda has been the conductor since the 2011-2012 season. The orchestra's resident conductor is Joseph Lee.
History
The Huntsville Symphony was founded in 1955 by Alvin Dreger, a cellist from Huntsville.
Forty musicians participated, many of whom were scientists in German rocket scientist
Wernher von Braun's team. The symphony's first conductor was Dr. Arthur M. Fraser.
The HSO is the oldest continuously-operating professional orchestra in the state of
Alabama. Past conductors include Arthur Fraser (1954-1959), Russell Gerhart (1959-1971), Marx Pales (1971-1988),
Taavo Virkhaus (1989-2003) and
Carlos Miguel Prieto (2003-2011).
The yearly concert programs include a Classical series, a Pops series and a "Casual Classics" series. Notable guest performers have included renowned cellist
Yo-Yo Ma, the
Canadian Brass
The Canadian Brass is a Canadian brass quintet formed in 1970 in Toronto, Ontario, by Charles Daellenbach (tuba) and Gene Watts (trombone), with horn player Graeme Page and trumpeters Stuart Laughton and Bill Phillips completing the quintet. , ...
and classical guitarist
Manuel Barrueco.
See also
*
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
*
Mobile Symphony Orchestra
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra is the symphonic orchestra of Mobile, Alabama. Scott Speck is the current music director.
Concerts
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra holds a 7 concert season from September to May of each year. The season consists of 6 t ...
*
Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is an orchestra based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. It celebrated its twenty-fifth season during 2006–2007. The orchestra performs at the Moody Music Building on the campus of the University of Ala ...
References
External links
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra(HSO)
Huntsville Music History Collection, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special CollectionsAlvin Dreger Collection, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections
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American orchestras
Musical groups from Alabama
Culture of Huntsville, Alabama
Tourist attractions in Huntsville, Alabama
Musical groups established in 1955
1955 establishments in Alabama
Performing arts in Alabama