J&R Adventures, LLC

==Juneau Symphony== The '''Juneau Symphony''' is a prominent musical organization that has been an integral part of the cultural landscape of Alaska's Capital City since its inception. The Symphony is committed to fostering and creating high-quality musical experiences that contribute to the cultural diversity and vitality of Juneau. ===History=== The Juneau Symphony was founded in 1962 by music teacher Cliff Berge as a community orchestra. Initially led by volunteer conductors, it has evolved over six decades into a semi-professional ensemble with over 100 musicians, many of whom hold advanced degrees in music performance. The majority of the musicians are residents of Juneau or Southeast Alaska, with additional players occasionally brought in as needed. In its early years, the Symphony was conducted by volunteers until its growth necessitated the hiring of a professional conductor. Mel Flood served as the conductor for 17 years, starting from the 1980s. He was succeeded by Kyle Wiley Pickett, who led the Symphony from 2000 to 2014. Under Pickett's leadership, the Symphony expanded its musical repertoire and instituted a series of summer Pops Concerts. The Symphony has featured both its principal players and local youth concerto competition winners as soloists and has invited guest soloists to perform a range of concertos. Notable improvements to the Symphony's sound include the acquisition of a harp, allowing for more diverse performances. Collaboration with other arts groups has been a hallmark of the Juneau Symphony, which has worked with organizations such as the Juneau Lyric Opera and Perseverance Theatre. The Symphony also has a tradition of community engagement, including educational programs like the Children's Concert, which has been part of its schedule since at least the mid-1990s. ===Recent Developments=== In 2013, the Juneau Symphony began a search for a new music director, receiving applications from around the world. After an extensive selection process, Dr. Troy Quinn was appointed as the music director and conductor, a position he held for three seasons. His tenure was marked by significant growth and culminated in a popular Pops Concert in 2018. Following Quinn's departure, the Symphony continued to thrive under various guest conductors while conducting a search for a new music director. The 2020-2021 season saw the Symphony adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic by producing virtual concerts and partnering with KTOO public media for weekly broadcasts. Dr. Christopher Koch was announced as the new Music Director in November 2021, and he currently leads the Symphony. The organization celebrated its 60th anniversary during the 2022-2023 season, marking a significant milestone in its history. ===Community and Education=== The Juneau Symphony is deeply rooted in the community and places a strong emphasis on educational outreach. Its initiatives include the Summer Strings Camp, Prelude Orchestra, and the Youth Solo Competition. The Symphony also supports music education in schools and provides resources for private music teachers. The Juneau Symphony is a testament to the power of community and the arts, continuing to enrich the lives of residents and visitors to Alaska's Capital City through the universal language of music.