Anchorage Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra (often called ASO) is a group of professional musicians who play classical music in Anchorage, Alaska. They perform many concerts each year for people of all ages.
About the Anchorage Symphony
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra started in 1946. This was more than ten years before Alaska became a state! A group of musicians who loved playing together created it. Their very first show was with the Anchorage Little Theatre. They performed music for a play called A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
When the ASO first began, it had only 17 musicians. Over the years, it grew bigger. By the 1950s, they had 32 members. As Anchorage grew, especially with the oil fields and military bases, the ASO also became more professional. By the 1980s, it was a semi-professional group.
Today, the ASO is a large organization. It has a special fund called an endowment to help support it. It also has a board of directors who help run things. About 80 musicians are part of the orchestra after passing auditions. In 2001, the ASO won two big awards. They received the Mayor's Arts Award and the Governor's Arts Award for being an amazing arts organization.
The Anchorage Symphony performs its concerts at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. This building is in downtown Anchorage. A music teacher named Lorene Harrison also worked with the ASO and other art groups in the area.
Who Leads the Orchestra?
Randall Craig Fleischer was the Music Director for the ASO until he passed away in 2020. Currently, Elizabeth Schulze is the Artistic Advisor and Chief Conductor. She helps lead the orchestra while they look for a new Music Director. Linn Weeda is also an assistant director and conductor.
See also
- Anchorage Youth Symphony
- Juneau Symphony
- Music of Alaska
