Hartford Symphony Orchestra

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is Connecticut's premier musical organization and the second largest orchestra in New England. With a history dating back to its founding in 1934 and formal establishment as the Symphony Society of Greater Hartford in 1936, the HSO has been recognized as one of America's leading regional orchestras. Celebrating its 79th season in 2022-2023, the orchestra has been under the artistic direction of several notable music directors, including Angelo Coniglione, Jacques Gordon, Leon Barzin, Moshe Paranov, George Heck, Fritz Mahler, Arthur Winograd, Michael Lankester, and Edward Cumming. The HSO's mission is to enrich lives and community through great music. It accomplishes this by presenting more than 100 concerts annually, which include the Masterworks Series, POPS Series, Sunday Serenades, Discovery Concerts, Symphony in Schools, Musical Dialogues, the Talcott Mountain Music Festival, and more. The orchestra is dedicated to delivering powerful and emotional experiences that lift and transform the spirit and to contribute to vibrant communities in the Greater Hartford area. In January 2011, Carolyn Kuan was appointed as the tenth music director of the HSO, becoming the first woman and the youngest person to hold this title. Since her tenure began, Kuan has led the orchestra to new artistic heights with community-minded concerts and innovative programming. The HSO has a rich history of artistic achievements, including the introduction of Young People’s Concerts during Fritz Mahler's tenure in the 1950s and acclaimed recordings for Vanguard. Under Arthur Winograd's leadership in the 1960s, the orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall and received highly favorable reviews. The HSO continued to grow in national recognition for its programming innovations during Michael Lankester's tenure from 1985 to 2000, which included Classical Conversations and Family Matinees, as well as landmark theatrical productions. Each season, the HSO performs for audiences numbering more than 95,000 statewide. Its extensive array of Education and Community Activities reaches 23,000 individuals in Hartford and surrounding communities annually. The HSO envisions itself as an organization that openly engages with the community, fosters joy for music, and is known for its transformative power of music. The HSO is committed to values of excellence, engagement, creativity, sustainability, and integrity. It strives to maintain the highest standards of orchestral music performance and experience, develop meaningful connections with patrons and stakeholders, embrace creativity in programming, ensure financial and institutional stewardship, and uphold respect, accountability, transparency, and honesty. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra is located at 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT, and continues to serve as a cultural beacon in the region, living up to its brand promise of being "Alive through great music."