Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra located in Huntsville, Alabama. The current conductor and music director 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.[1] Forty musicians participated, many of whom were scientists in German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun's team. Their first conductor was Dr. Arthur M. Fraser.[1] For thirty years, Patrick McCauley, the editor of The Huntsville Times from 1966 to 1994, was a board member of the symphony and served a term as president as well.[2]
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, Canadian Brass and classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco.
References
- Laney, Monique (2015). German Rocketeers in the Heart of Dixie: Making Sense of the Nazi Past During the Civil Rights Era. New Haven and London: Yale University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-300-19803-4.
- Emily Featherston (May 5, 2015). "Patrick Earl McCauley". Alabama Press Association. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 17, 2015.