Omaha Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Omaha Symphony Orchestra is a community-based orchestra
performing numerous concerts annually in Omaha, Nebraska
and throughout the region. Originally established in 1921, the orchestra has continued yearly.
The regular season includes a seven-concert "Masterworks" series, six "Symphony Pops" performances, a three concert "Family Series", and a three concert "Casual Classics" series, all at the Holland Performing Arts Center
. The orchestra also performs at dozens of outreach and school concerts through their Mission: Imagination!, Concerts for Youth, Music Alive!, and Celebrate Creativity programs, reaching more than 40,000 students and preschoolers, among others.
The Symphony also performs a six-concert chamber orchestra series at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha
. The symphony's current musical directors are Thomas Wilkins and Ernest Richardson (Resident Conductor since 1993). In addition to performing in Omaha, the Symphony also performs in Lincoln at the Lied Center for Performing Arts
annually.
Tea, and a Designer Derby and Home Tour.
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
performing numerous concerts annually in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
and throughout the region. Originally established in 1921, the orchestra has continued yearly.
About
The Omaha Symphony presents more than 200 live performances from September through June. In addition to MasterWorks, Pops, Chamber, Discovery, Light Classics and Family series concerts, the orchestra tours both Nebraska and Iowa providing education and community engagement concerts and special events. Combined with radio broadcasts, the orchestra reaches an estimated annual audience of 300,000 annually. With a full-time core of 39 virtuosi, the full orchestra currently includes 92 musicians.The regular season includes a seven-concert "Masterworks" series, six "Symphony Pops" performances, a three concert "Family Series", and a three concert "Casual Classics" series, all at the Holland Performing Arts Center
Holland Performing Arts Center
The Holland Performing Arts Center is a performing arts facility located on 13th and Douglas Streets in downtown Downtown Omaha, Nebraska, Nebraska in the United States; it opened in October 2005. Designed by Omaha architectural firm HDR, Inc...
. The orchestra also performs at dozens of outreach and school concerts through their Mission: Imagination!, Concerts for Youth, Music Alive!, and Celebrate Creativity programs, reaching more than 40,000 students and preschoolers, among others.
The Symphony also performs a six-concert chamber orchestra series at the Strauss Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
. The symphony's current musical directors are Thomas Wilkins and Ernest Richardson (Resident Conductor since 1993). In addition to performing in Omaha, the Symphony also performs in Lincoln at the Lied Center for Performing Arts
Lied Center for Performing Arts
The Lied Center for Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art performing arts facility located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA that opened in 1990. It is part of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is used for various events, including orchestra, theatre, and speakers.The Center consists of 5 separate...
annually.
Membership
The members of the Omaha Symphony have ranged from seasoned community members to professional artists.Guild
The Omaha Symphony Guild has a mission to, "promote the growth and development of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra for the pleasure and education of residents of Greater Omaha and the States of Nebraska and Iowa." With a history extending since 1956, the Guild has had a hand in organizing a youth symphony, community outreach events and study circles on music, among other activities throughout the region. In 2006 and 2007 the Guild hosted a "Debutante Ball", a Valentine's DayValentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
Tea, and a Designer Derby and Home Tour.
Leadership
The musical directors of the Omaha Symphony have been:- Henry Cox (1921-1924)
- Sandor HarmatiSandor HarmatiSandor Harmati was a Hungarian-American violinist, conductor and composer, best known for his song "Bluebird of Happiness" written in 1934 for Jan Peerce.-Biography:...
(1925-1929) - Joseph Littau (1930-1932)
- Rudolph GanzRudolph GanzRudolph Ganz was a Swiss pianist, conductor and composer. He claimed direct descent from Charlemagne.-Biography:...
(1936-1941) - Richard Duncan (1947-1958)
- Joseph Levine (1958-1970)
- Yuri Krasnapolsky (1970-1974)
- Thomas Briccetti (1975-1983)
- Bruce Hangen (1984-1994)
- Victor Yampolsky (1995-2005)
- Thomas Wilkins (2005-Present)