The International Symphony Orchestra of

Sarnia Sarnia is a city in Lambton County, Ontario, Canada. It had a Canada 2021 Census, 2021 population of 72,047, and is the largest city on Lake Huron. Sarnia is located on the eastern bank of the junction between the Upper and Lower Great Lakes w ...

, Ontario and

Port Huron Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately. Located along the St. Clair ...

, Michigan began in 1957. The Little Orchestra Society of Sarnia and the Port Huron String Ensemble came together and formed the Orchestra. The Orchestra is a non-profit organization and consists of around fifty-five musicians who are from both sides of the border between the United States and Canada. Many work full-time in the music profession. Other members are engineers, teachers, doctors, nurses, and homemakers, and all are well-trained musicians. From 1997 to 2011, the Orchestra's music director was acclaimed Canadian conductor Jerome Summers. After an extensive search lasting nearly two years, the Orchestra selected Douglas Bianchi of

Wayne State University Wayne State University (WSU) is a public research university in Detroit, Michigan. It is Michigan's third-largest university. Founded in 1868, Wayne State consists of 13 schools and colleges offering approximately 350 programs to nearly 25,000 ...

in 2012 as its new music director. The Orchestra performs at various venues and churches in the area throughout each season, including the Imperial Oil Center for the Performing Arts in

and the McMorran Theater in

Affiliated organizations

In 1984, the Symphony Singers joined forces with the Orchestra, and this auditioned chorus remains with the group today. The Symphony also sponsors a Youth Orchestra. Two auxiliary groups also support the organization: the Symphony Association of the Port Huron Area, and the International Symphony Association. It also receives support from the Port Huron Musicale and various sponsors and supporters, both private and commercial.

Notable performers

In 2014, harmonica virtuoso Mike Stevens headlined the orchestra's "Classics Cross Country" concert.

Detroit Music Awards

In 2011, the International Symphony Orchestra was awarded the title of "Outstanding Community Orchestra" from among several American and Canadian organizations that ring Lake Huron. The Orchestra was again nominated in 2012, but did not win.

References

{{authority control Symphony orchestras Canadian orchestras Musical groups established in 1957 Orchestras based in Michigan