Woodstock Symphony Orchestra

The Woodstock Symphony Orchestra (WSO), formerly known as the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, is a distinguished musical ensemble with a rich history that spans over four decades. Established in 1980, the orchestra was the brainchild of three local musicians—Judy Leopold, Ellen Ohm, and Jeannette Ellis—who envisioned a small orchestra thriving in the arts-centric community of Woodstock. The group's inaugural rehearsal coincided with the 224th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birth, on January 27, 1980. Initially managed by flutist Melissa Sweet and her husband Al Sweet, who brought his IBM management expertise to the role, the orchestra quickly established itself as a cultural staple in the region. Under the leadership of its first music director and conductor, Henry Bloch, and assistant conductor Kurt Grishman, the WSO began performing five concerts per season, primarily at St. John's in West Hurley. The ensemble's repertoire expanded to include major symphonies by Mozart and Haydn and collaborative works with the Woodstock-based Ars Choralis, initially formed as the Woodstock Chamber Chorus. In the early 1990s, the orchestra flourished under the baton of the late Luis Garcia-Renart, a prize-winning cellist and classical guitarist, who also had affiliations with Bard College, Vassar College, and the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Garcia-Renart's tenure saw the WSO premiere new music by local composers and expand its venues to include the Bearsville Theater, Holy Cross Church in Kingston, and Olin Hall at Bard College. Following Garcia-Renart's retirement in 2005, the orchestra underwent a conductor search, eventually appointing David Leighton, whose experience with vocal and choral music led to several opera performances and collaborations with the Kingston High School chorus. The orchestra continued to grow, adding Pointe of Praise in Kingston and the Woodstock Playhouse to its list of venues. After a series of executive directors and another conductor search in 2011-12, Nathan Madsen took the helm, further extending the orchestra's reach by performing at the Quimby Theater at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge. Jonathan Handman succeeded Madsen in 2016, introducing innovative programs such as a bluegrass-orchestral fusion and the Woodstock & Beyond concerto competition. Handman's leadership helped the WSO navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic before his resignation at the end of the 2021-2022 season. The 2022-2023 season marks another Conductor Search season for the WSO, with four candidates—William Stephens, Carolyn Lechuzza Aquallo, Adam Fontana, and Mina Kim—vying for the role of Music Director. Each candidate will conduct a concert featuring a Beethoven symphony, with the selection process involving feedback from both a Conductor Search committee and the orchestra's players. Under the stewardship of Executive Director Dana White-Marks, the WSO has successfully navigated the pandemic, maintaining a high caliber of musicians and organizing the Conductor Search season. Despite the pandemic forcing the cancellation of performances, the WSO adapted by offering virtual concerts and a reduced series of live concerts with safety measures in place. The WSO's commitment to the community and the development of young talent is evident in its ongoing Woodstock And Beyond Concerto Competition. As the orchestra looks forward to the appointment of a new music director, it continues to engage with audiences through its website, woodstocksymphony.org, and social media platforms. The history of the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra is a testament to its resilience, adaptability, and dedication to musical excellence. As it moves forward, the WSO remains a beacon of cultural enrichment in the Woodstock area and beyond.