Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra

### About Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) The Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) is a distinguished ensemble dedicated to the celebration and performance of music that exemplifies holiness, truth, beauty, and perfection, reflecting the character of God. The orchestra is composed of over fifty skilled musicians who are devoted to delivering exceptional and accessible musical art within the Troy and Detroit metropolitan areas. The unique blend of local and distant talents contributes to TMSO's distinctive dual commitment to both sacred and classical arts. This commitment, coupled with the orchestra's warm and vibrant personality, is evident in every performance they present. For inquiries about upcoming performances or to support the Orchestra, interested parties are encouraged to reach out through the provided contact form on their website. ### History of Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra (TMSO) #### Founding and Early Years The Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra was founded by Leonard Holliday in 2005. Holliday, a devout Christian with a passion for music and teaching, established the Orion Chamber Music Society String Camp to cultivate young musicians' skills for ministry in churches and communities. This camp was the precursor to the orchestra, which initially began as the Orion Chamber Music Society (OCMS). #### Inaugural Concerts OCMS held its inaugural concerts on January 6th and 7th, 2006, at First Baptist Church of Troy and First Baptist Church of Lake Orion. The program featured a mix of sacred music, classical pieces, and a Bach Brandenburg Concerto. The ensemble was primarily composed of young musicians from the string camp, supplemented by local adult musicians. #### Educational Focus From its inception, OCMS, later TMSO, has emphasized educating audiences about the music they perform. Leonard Holliday was known for his dynamic approach to explaining musical concepts during concerts, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding among the audience. #### Growth and Development Over the following decade, the orchestra expanded its repertoire and presence, commissioning original works and performing full-orchestra concerts and recitals. After Holliday's retirement in 2014, Ben Klaus took over as music director, leading the orchestra's relocation to First Baptist Church of Troy for rehearsals and expanding its reach within the Detroit-metro area. #### Rebranding and Recent Years In June 2018, the ensemble was rebranded as the Troy Metro Symphony Orchestra to better reflect its community and growth from a chamber ensemble to a full-fledged community orchestra. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, TMSO continued to perform and engage with the community through smaller ensemble concerts. #### Leadership Changes After a period of guest conductors, John Swedberg took over as musical director in fall 2021, succeeded by Travis Cook, who was appointed Music Director in April 2023. Under Cook's leadership, TMSO continues to thrive and serve the Troy-metro community with a bright outlook for the future. TMSO's mission is encapsulated in Psalm 69:30, which expresses the intent to praise God through song and magnify Him with thanksgiving, a sentiment that continues to guide the orchestra's endeavors.