West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

== West Virginia Symphony Orchestra == The '''West Virginia Symphony Orchestra''' (WVSO) is a renowned regional orchestra that has been making great music to enrich and inspire the communities in its region since its inception. With the mission to ignite a love of music and instill a sense of pride in every person in the region, the WVSO has a storied history that dates back to its establishment in 1939. === History === The orchestra's roots can be traced to a partnership with local chemical plants in Charleston, West Virginia. On September 19, 1939, the ensemble, then known as the Charleston Civic Orchestra, held its first rehearsal with 55 musicians. The first concert took place at Charleston's Municipal Auditorium on November 14, 1939, under the baton of William R. Wiant. During Wiant's tenure, the orchestra expanded its offerings to include children's concerts, pops concerts, and performances of opera and ballet. The orchestra saw significant growth even during the challenging war years, thanks in part to a unique partnership with local chemical industries, particularly Union Carbide, which sought musically talented employees to join the orchestra. In 1943, the Charleston Civic Orchestra was renamed the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, and Helen Thompson was appointed its first General Manager. Thompson was instrumental in founding the American Symphony Orchestra League and later became the organization's first Executive Director. Following Wiant's departure for military service in 1942, Antonio Modarelli, who had previously conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, took over as conductor. Modarelli's death in 1954 led to a succession of conductors, each contributing to the orchestra's growth and development. Notable among them was Thomas Conlin, who expanded the concert season and increased touring, reflecting the orchestra's status as a regional entity. In 1988, to acknowledge this broader reach, the orchestra was renamed the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The WVSO celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 1989-90 season with a performance at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Under the leadership of various conductors, including Grant Cooper and Lawrence Loh, the WVSO continued to flourish, with a commitment to music education and the establishment of the Symphony Chorus. In 2003, the WVSO inaugurated the Maier Foundation Performance Hall at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia, which offered improved acoustics and amenities. Cooper's retirement in 2016 as artistic director & conductor marked the end of a 15-year tenure, with Lawrence Loh succeeding him as the tenth conductor. The WVSO celebrated its 80th anniversary during the 2019-20 season, which included the publication of "Four Score in Appalachia: Eighty Years with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra" by Patricia Richards McClure. Following Loh's departure, a nationwide search led to the appointment of Maurice Cohn as the eleventh music director in 2023. === Mission & Vision === The WVSO's mission is to make great music accessible to all and to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the region. Its vision is to be the spark that ignites a love of music and sense of pride in every person in the region. === Education and Community Engagement === The WVSO places a strong emphasis on education and community engagement, with programs like Young People's Concerts, student opportunities, the Vaughan Fellowship, the Dunphy Scholarship, and the String Education Program. These initiatives are designed to foster a love for music among young audiences and provide educational opportunities for aspiring musicians. === Venue and Accessibility === The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is based at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia in Charleston, WV. The organization is committed to accessibility, ensuring that its performances and facilities can be enjoyed by all members of the community. === Contact Information === The WVSO can be reached at 4700 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Suite 101, Charleston, WV 25304, with the phone number 304.957.WVSO (9876). For more information on the accessibility of their venue, patrons are encouraged to visit the Clay Center's website. == External Links == * [https://www.theclaycenter.org/about/ Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences of West Virginia] * [https://www.wvsymphony.org/ West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Official Website] [[Category:American orchestras]] [[Category:Music of West Virginia]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1939]] [[Category:Arts organizations established in 1939]] [[Category:Organizations based in West Virginia]]