The ToledoSymphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Toledo, Ohio. The orchestra performs at several different venues in Toledo, including the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle Theater, the Valentine Theatre, the Toledo Club, the Stranahan Theater, and over 20 churches and performing arts centers across the region annually. There were several early attempts to create the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Arthur W. Kortheuer led an orchestra from 1897-1912 at several venues, including the Valentine Theatre. Successive ensembles briefly appeared in 1913-14 and 1916-17. Lewis H. Clement led an orchestra from 1920-1926, with concerts at Scott High School and other auditoriums. An orchestra performed for two seasons at the Paramount Theater, including a gala performance in May 1940 that featured soprano Lily Pons. The Toledo Symphony Orchestra began as the "Friends of Music" and gave its first concert on September 28, 1943 at Macomber Vocational High School. Edgar Schenkman was the orchestra's first conductor, leading 22 musicians in a three-concert season. Since then, the orchestra has grown into one of the country's most respected regional orchestras, celebrated nationally for its educational outreach and commitment to artistic excellence. The orchestra's most recent Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor was Stefan Sanderling. The orchestra initially appointed him as Principal Guest Conductor, effective with the 2002-2003 season, with a contract of 2 years. The orchestra subsequently elevated his title to Principal Conductor, and Sanderling remained in the post from 2002 to 2017. During Sanderling's tenure, the orchestra made its Carnegie Hall debut in May 2011 as part of the 'Spring for Music' festival. In March 2010, Alain Trudel first guest-conducted the orchestra. He returned to the podium again in April 2017 with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony, and in June 2017, the orchestra announced the appointment of Trudel as its next Music Director, effective with the 2018-2019 season, with an initial contract of 3 years. He held the title of Music Director Designate during the 2017-2018 season. On January 1, 2019, the and officially merged to form the , a new non-profit organization dedicated to providing exceptional live music and dance performances and education for the region. This partnership promises to create new and invigorating programs, provide cost and revenue synergies in operations, and integrate the arts through shared educational missions.
