Huntsville Symphony Orchestra


The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is a symphonic orchestra located in Huntsville, Alabama. The current conductor and music director is Gregory Vajda. Vajda has been the conductor since the 2011-2012 season. The orchestra's Resident Conductor is Joseph Lee.

History

The Huntsville Symphony was founded in 1955 by Alvin Dreger, a cellist from Huntsville. Forty musicians participated, many of whom were scientists in German rocket scientist Wernher von Braun's team. Their first conductor was Dr. Arthur M. Fraser. For thirty years, Patrick McCauley, the editor of The Huntsville Times from 1966 to 1994, was a board member of the symphony and served a term as president as well.
The HSO is the oldest continuously operating professional orchestra in the state of Alabama. Past conductors include: Arthur Fraser, Russell Gerhart, Marx Pales, Taavo Virkhaus and Carlos Miguel Prieto.
The yearly concert programs include a Classical series, a Pops series and a Casual Classics series. Notable guest performers have included renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Canadian Brass and classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco.