The Traverse Symphony Orchestra is a professional part-time symphony orchestra based in

Traverse City Traverse City ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Grand Traverse County, although it partly extends into Leelanau County. The city's population was 15,678 at the 2020 census, while the four-county Traverse C ...

, northern

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. In 2001 Kevin Rhodes joined the orchestra as music director and the orchestra evolved into a professional organization with a core base of musicians drawn from the Michigan region. Performances are held at

Interlochen Interlochen ( ') is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the population was 694, up from 583 at the 2010 census. The community is located w ...

's Corson Auditorium and the City Opera House in downtown Traverse City. The 2012-13 concert season (61st Season) features 7 concerts that include guest artists from the national and international level. The Traverse Symphony is a nonprofit corporation supported by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships and grants.

History

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1952 by Elnora Milliken as an amateur community ensemble under the direction of Dr Pedro Paz. The first concert was held in December, 1952, featuring Beethoven's Symphony No.1, Strauss' "Emperor" Waltz, the Carmen Suite No.1 by Georges Bizet. There was a connection over the years with

Interlochen Center for the Arts Interlochen Center for the Arts ( '; also known as I.C.A. or Inty) is a Nonprofit organization, non-profit corporation which operates Visual arts education, arts education institutions and Music venue, performance venues. Established in 1928 b ...

, providing a core of musicians and conductors from among faculty and students. Until 1985 it was known as the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.

Education

The Traverse Symphony offers educational programs that afford enriching music to 4,000 children and students each year. The Civic program offers students of all ages opportunities to work with professional musicians in one of two ensembles based upon skill and experience levels.

External links

Orchestra website
{{authority control Musical groups established in 1952 Orchestras based in Michigan Traverse City, Michigan 1952 establishments in Michigan