Montgomery Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
The Montgomery Symphony Orchestra (often called the MSO) is a group of talented musicians who play classical music in Montgomery, Alabama. They perform many concerts and help teach young people about music.
The MSO started in 1976. It began as a small project by the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Back then, it had only about thirty musicians, and they all volunteered their time! There was also a part-time director.
Today, the orchestra is much bigger and more organized. A special group of people called a board of directors helps run it. The MSO gets its money from people and groups who sponsor their concerts, as well as from the Montgomery Symphony League.
Since 1989, the orchestra has performed regularly at the beautiful Davis Theater in downtown Montgomery. One of their biggest and most exciting performances was in 1994. They played Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This huge show involved 85 musicians and more than 200 singers!
Who Leads the Orchestra?
The MSO has a full-time director named Thomas Hinds. He helps guide the musicians and choose the music they play.
The orchestra also has two special musicians called "artists in residence." These musicians are very skilled. One is the concertmaster, who is the lead violinist. The other is the principal cellist, who leads the cello section. These two musicians join the orchestra for two years at a time. For example, in 2013, a married couple, violinist Mr. Robin Scott and cellist Ms. Ahrim Kim, were the artists in residence. Other past artists include Sun-Young Gemma Shin (violin) and Dan Totan (cello).
What Does the MSO Do?
As of 2007, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra had about seventy-five members. During the 2006-2007 season, they put on eight concerts for the public.
Besides their main concerts, the MSO also has programs to teach people about music. They also travel around central Alabama to perform for different communities.
The MSO also supports the Montgomery Youth Orchestra. This is a great opportunity for young musicians to learn and play together!
