The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (FMSO) is a community orchestra based in
Fargo, North Dakota serving the
Fargo–Moorhead
Fargo–Moorhead, also known as the FM area, is a common name given to the metropolitan area comprising Fargo, North Dakota; Moorhead, Minnesota; and the surrounding communities. These two cities lie on the North Dakota–Minnesota border, on opp ...
metropolitan area. The orchestra employs local and regional musicians in performances of classical and modern symphonic music.
What would become the FMSO may be said to have originated in 1912 with a small community orchestra, under the direction of Harry Rudd, showcasing its talents during a Norwegian
Saengerfest. That ''ad hoc'' ensemble employed forty musicians.
The current organization, however, actually dates its formal charter to 1931 (operating as the "Fargo Civic Orchestra"). Harry Rudd was named the first official conductor of the newly formed orchestra as well, serving in that capacity through 1937. Subsequent music directors have included:
* Sigvald Thompson (1937–1974), also renowned as a composition teacher (to
Peter Schickele
"Professor" Peter Schickele (; born July 17, 1935) is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist, best known for comedy albums featuring his music, but which he presents as being composed by the fictional P. D. Q. Bach. He also hosted ...
, among others);
* J. Robert Hanson (1974–1990);
* Joel Revzen (1990–2002); and
* Bernard Rubenstein (2003–2012), who presided over the FMSO's 75th anniversary celebrations during 2006–2007. At its gala concert of March 10, 2007, the orchestra premiered Schickele's three-movement ''Prairie Skies,'' a work commissioned for the anniversary.
In June 2013, conductor Christopher Zimmerman was chosen as the orchestra's current music director by the FMSO board of trustees. Maestro Zimmerman is also music director of the
Fairfax (Virginia) Symphony Orchestra.
[(No date.]
''Christopher Zimmerman - Music Director''
, at ''Fairfax Symphony Orchestra'' website. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
The Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra currently performs some two-dozen times throughout the year in various capacities, including a Pops Concert series, which has been led by Music Director
Christopher Zimmerman.
References
External links
Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra website
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Musical groups established in 1931
Fargo, North Dakota
Musical groups from North Dakota
American orchestras
Tourist attractions in Cass County, North Dakota
Performing arts in North Dakota
1931 establishments in North Dakota