Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra

'''Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra''' The Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra (JCSO), originally known as the Little Symphony of Jefferson City, has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of Jefferson City since the 1920s. The orchestra's inception can be traced back to a group of local musicians who gathered to play for church events, with their first group performance taking place at the Easter Sunday service at the First Baptist Church in 1923. The founding members included Dr. Richard P. Dorris, Dr. Stanley P. Howard, Dr. Channing Ewing, Foster McHenry, and Miss Irene State, who were later joined by other enthusiasts such as Clyde Humphrey, Freddie Williams, and Joe Taylor, as well as the Burkel family. Under the baton of Dr. Dorris, a cellist, and later Dan Markham, an instrumental music teacher, the ensemble became known as the Little Symphony of Jefferson City. Despite challenges in gathering for rehearsals, the orchestra persevered, even performing in the midst of a dust storm in Sedalia and traveling by chartered train for a concert in Hermann. The group was temporarily disbanded during World War II, with many members drafted into military service, but some continued to play in string quartets for local events. The orchestra was re-established in 1948 as the Jefferson City Civic Orchestra, with Lucille Turner, Bob Mansur, and Lawrence Woodman leading the effort. Carl Burkel became the conductor, and the orchestra performed its first concert at the Evangelical Church, which is now the Central United Church of Christ. The orchestra, which began with about a dozen musicians, quickly grew to 35 members and became a part of the Jefferson City Community Concert Association (JCCA), a subsidiary of Columbia Artists. The JCSO has been known for its annual piano concerto competition, which started as an award program for concerto performances on various instruments but later became exclusive to piano. The symphony has collaborated with Columbia Artists since its early days and has performed in various venues, including Richardson Auditorium at Lincoln University and the choir room at the new Senior High School. In 1983, Carl Burkel founded the Symphony Choir, which became an annual feature of the concert season. Burkel's significant contributions to local music continued until his death in 1995. Following his passing, Dr. John Taylor, J. Patrick Healy, Dr. Steven Houser, and Dr. David Rayl have all served as conductors. Patrick Clark was named conductor of the JCSO in the 2012-2013 season and remained through the 2019-2020 season. Although the JCCA, which supported the JCSO for many years, disbanded in May 2018, the orchestra continues to thrive independently, thanks to the community's support. The JCSO remains committed to enriching the lives of Jefferson City residents through live musical performances, upholding a tradition that has been cherished for nearly a century. The history of the Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra is a testament to the enduring power of community and the arts, as chronicled by Jerrold Scarlett in July 2001 with contributions from Robert Mansur, Donald Gentzsch, and Stephen Houser, and edited by Charles Turner.