1928 |
4 musicians at the local Methodist Church form a group to perform at services. Philip Potts was their manager. |
1929 |
Warren Ketcham, a student at the U of M School of Music, becomes the group's first director. |
1930 |
The group grows to 12 members and adopts the name "Ann Arbor Community Orchestra." |
1931 |
Frederick Ernst, another School of Music student, becomes the group's second director. Also, the orchestra, now at 18 members, gives its first major program, including "Poet and Peasant Overture" by von Suppe. |
1932 |
The 30-member orchestra performs on 18 occasions, including 4 major concerts in Petersberg, Saline, Ann Arbor and Hartland. |
1933 |
William Champion becomes the third musical director. |
1934 |
Still at 30 players, the orchestra performed 6 concerts during the 1934-35 season. |
1935 |
Newly organized under the general administration of Ann Arbor's Dept. of Recreation, the group renames itself "Ann Arbor Civic Orchestra." |
1936 |
40 musicians give concerts at A2 neighborhood schools, in Ypsilanti and Dexter, and participate in the 2nd annual "Civic Music Night." |
1937 |
"An Evening of Ballet," the orchestra's first ballet dance concert, was given with the Sylvia Studio of Dance. |
1938 |
Preparations are made for the first concerts at the West Park Music Shell (designed by Symphony founder Philip Potts) to take place in the Summer of 1939. |
1939 |
E.A. Schaeberle is elected the first president of the orchestra's Board of Directors as the group strives for a more formal organization. |
1940 |
The orchestra has its first concert at the Michigan Theater in the 1940-'41 season. |
1941 |
Professor Joseph Maddy takes over as Music Director when Wm. Champion is called into U. S. Navy Service. |
1942 |
A song pageant, "Battle Songs of Freedom," is given to the U. S. Navy Service School, Dearborn. |
1943 |
The Ann Arbor Civic Orchestra hosts its third annual Michigan Massed Orchestra Festival. |
1944 |
The orchestra has grown to 50 players. |
1945 |
The orchestra plays for the 8th Annual "Evening of Ballet," the last one until 1955. |
1946 |
A performance at Michigan Union for the International Center marks the orchestra's 100th Concert. |
1947 |
The Symphony performs Bach's "Come Sweet Death" on the occasion of the anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. |
1948 |
Orchestra establishes Langford youth scholarships to attend the National Music Camp at Interlochen with money donated by a Symphony supporter. |
1949 |
75 musicians are listed in the orchestra's attendance book. |
1950 |
Orchestra participates in the 10th Annual Michigan Massed Orchestra Festival. |
1951 |
Orien Dalley becomes orchestra's fifth conductor. After a 12-year hiatus, the group performs a concert for Washtenaw County school children. |
1952 |
The Women's Auxiliary is formed and raises $390 for the Ann Arbor Community Orchestra. |
1953 |
The orchestra celebrates its 25th anniversary; Philip Potts resigns as Business Manager. |
1954 |
U-M composer Michael Daugherty is born. In November, 2003 the orchestra played a new work for the A²SO and theater organ, written by Mr. Daugherty. |
1955 |
Emil Raab becomes orchestra's sixth conductor. |
1956 |
The 200th anniversary of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's birth was on January 27 of this year. |
1957 |
George C. Wilson, Vice President of the National Music Camp at Interlochen, becomes seventh conductor. |
1958 |
Musicians had to do nothing more than show up for three rehearsals to become members of the orchestra no auditions! |
1959 |
Ann Arbor Civic Symphony presents a youth concert to 1,500 youngsters. |
1960 |
Jack Elzay, Ann Arbor Public School Superintendent, writes a letter to conductor George Wilson recognizing the importance of music in children's lives. |
1961 |
WUOM broadcasts the January 22nd concert. William Fitch becomes orchestra's eighth conductor. |
1962 |
The orchestra concludes its "main stage" season by accompanying the Ann Arbor Civic Ballet. In June they play a Pops Concert in West Park. |
1963 |
Emil Holz becomes orchestra's ninth conductor. |
1964 |
Orchestra has grown to 66 members with an 18-member executive board. |
1965 |
By this year, the Symphony gave more than 100 students more than $10,000 in funds to attend the National Music Camp at Interlochen. |
1966 |
Interlochen founder and Ann Arbor Civic Orchestra conductor of 10 years, Joseph Maddy, dies in his sleep at the age of 74. |
1967 |
The Orchestra selects three, rather than the usual one, youth soloist to perform on the annual Youth Concert. |
1968 |
After 40 years of free concerts, the orchestra hosts "Symphony Week" to raise awareness and funds. |
1969 |
In other musical news: huge music festival held in Woodstock, New York. |
1970 |
Philip Potts, founder and orchestra manager for decades, dies at the age of 76 on December 16. |
1971 |
Women's Association of the Ann Arbor Symphony holds its first Catherine Crippen Scholarship competition for junior high students to attend music camp. |
1972 |
Ed Szabo becomes orchestra's tenth director. |
1973 |
Composer William Bolcom joins the U-M faculty. IN November, 2003, the A²SO and Stephen Shipps performed Bolcom's Violin Concerto in recognition of his contributions to music in Ann Arbor. |
1974 |
150 couples attend the Symphony Ball, raising $2800 for the Ann Arbor Symphony. |
1975 |
The Symphony holds a benefit concert to support rising costs while keeping most concerts free. Tickets cost $2.50-$10. |
1976 |
Mayor Albert H. Wheeler declares May 16-22, 1976 "Geranium Week" in honor of the Annual Geranium Sale run by the Women's Association to benefit the Symphony. |
1977 |
The Women's Association of the Ann Arbor Symphony celebrates its 25 years of service with a musical performance by youth scholarship winners. |
1978 |
The Orchestra celebrates its 50th Anniversary; Ann Arbor Mayor Louis D. Belcher names Oct. 5 1978 "Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Day." |
1979 |
The orchestra presents "The Story of Babar" by Poulenc for its annual free Children's Concert on November 25th. |
1980 |
Robert Taylor, "Fat Bob the Singing Plumber," joins the orchestra as a baritone soloist for its November 30th concert. |
1981 |
Orchestra roster lists 100 musicians. |
1982 |
Ed Szabo conducts a Feb. 21st concert as a "Centennial Observance of the Births of Zoltan Kodaly and Igor Stravinsky." |
1983 |
The symphony recognizes the contributions of Estelle Titiev, orchestra supporter and board member, by naming the concert master's chair in her honor. This is one of many ways the Symphony shows appreciation to its donors. |
1984 |
Cathy Cho, a featured soloist of the A²SO's 75th season, performed Pagannini's Violin Concerto as a youth soloist with the orchestra. |
1985 |
Carl St.Clair becomes orchestra's eleventh conductor. For the first time in its 57-year history, the orchestra charges admission to meet expenses. |
1986 |
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra commissions a work by University Professor and dancer David D. Gregory. He insists that his piece "is to be shared, not inflicted." |
1987 |
The Symphony collaborates with four other local arts agencies for a production of Leonard Bernstein's Mass , a theatre piece for singers, players and dancers. |
1988 |
The orchestra participates in Jazz for Life, a benefit concert supporting two local child-care agencies that help low-income children. |
1989 |
Orchestra fundraising efforts include the Fifth Annual Gala Benefit and a Radiothon on WAAM AM 1600, both hosted by Briarwood Mall. |
1990 |
Violinist Stephen Shipps joins the orchestra as Concertmaster, a position he will hold for 14 years - until the end of the 75th Anniversary Season. |
1991 |
The Ultimate Tailgate Party, Fantasy Tailgate Silent Auction, and Benefit Pops Concert are among the fundraising festivities for the 63rd season. |
1992 |
Samuel Wong becomes orchestra's twelfth conductor. |
1993 |
The symphony begins its annual benefit golf outing, Symphony Swing. |
1994 |
The Symphony performs "Oh, Lois" and "Lex" from Metropolis Symphony by U-M composer Michael Daugherty, based on the popular Superman lore. |
1995 |
In keeping with the Symphony's exciting programming, the orchestra presents Tap Dance Concerto by Morton Gould with soloist Job. E. Christenson. |
1996 |
The orchestra hosts its first annual "Mozart Birthday Bash" an concert honoring young talent and the great symphonic composer. |
1997 |
Catherine Cho returns to the Ann Arbor Symphony to join in the 1997 Youth Concert: "This Concert is for the Birds." |
1998 |
October '98 was the last time the A²SO performed Beethoven's 7th Symphonyuntil the beginning of the orchestra's 75th Season. |
1999 |
A²SO begins a conductor search. In 2000, Jane Wilkinson was awarded the Governor's Service Award for volunteering over 5,000 hours as Search Chair. |
2000 |
Arie Lipsky becomes orchestra's thirteenth conductor. |
2001 |
For the second year in a row, the A²SO premieres a work by a University of Michigan student composer. |
2002 |
For the first time in its history, the orchestra presents a full-length opera in concert with its performance of Bizet's Carmen . |
2003 |
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 75th anniversary season. |
2005 |
Season Finale, Carmina Burana , sells out. |
2006 |
Season Finale in Hill Auditorium draws record crowds to Mahler's Ressurection Symphony. |
2006 |
World premiere of the family program Mozart Comes to Ann Arbor by EMU professor Jeff Duncan. |
2007 |
World premiere of Raccoon Tune based on the children's book by Ann Arbor Author Nancy Shaw. |
2008 |
A²SO records music of Paul Fetler for Naxos, in its first commercially available CD. |
