North Shore Symphony Orchestra

The North Shore Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1961 by conductor Dr. Charles Gouse as "The Community Orchestra" under the sponsorship of the Hicksville Public Schools' Continuing Education Program. The orchestra took up residence at North Shore High School in 1979 where it acquired its present name, followed by a move in 2004 to its current home at the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School. Peter Aaronson conducted the Orchestra from 1984 to 1989; and Dwight Dyer, long-time concertmaster at the time, organized a series of guest conductors for the 1989-1990 concert season. From among these guest conductors, Susan Deaver was selected as NSSO’s Music Director and Conductor in 1990. Under Maestra Deaver’s musical leadership, the NSSO thrived for 25 years and was re-established as one of Long Island's finest community orchestras.