Mission

The Fremont Symphony Orchestra brings live classical music to residents of southern Alameda County and northern Santa Clara County. Its mission is to enrich the quality of life in the communities it serves by:

* Maintaining and promoting a professional regional symphony of the highest possible artistic quality

* Seeking to reach all parts of the diverse communities it serves through accessible and affordable programming, activity and outreach

* Securing the future of concert music by providing imaginative and enriching musical experiences for children

* Striving to increase both the numbers and the musical sophistication of the adult audience

* Broadening the Fremont Symphony’s activities through creative partnerships with other educational and artistic institutions

History

The Fremont Philharmonic Society was created in 1964 by Eugene Stoia, the orchestra’s first Music Director, who brought together a group of musicians and supporters of the arts to make their common dream of a local symphony orchestra a reality. The very first rehearsal was set for September, and the first concert was planned for that winter at Mission San Jose High School.

The musicians received no compensation at the time, and merely played for the love of music. And play they did, with verve, skill, and the determination to mold a new sound in the community. And the people of Fremont responded by attending the concerts and supporting this new orchestra they could call their own. In 1970 the name was changed to the Fremont-Newark Philharmonic to better reflect the orchestra’s membership and audience base.

Following its modest beginnings, when musicians had to pay one dollar to join, the Philharmonic grew and matured impressively both in quality and in numbers. Music Director Eugene Stoia was succeeded by William Galbraith and Jason Klein, and the orchestra’s sound also improved as a few professional musicians were hired to fill strategic positions.

David Sloss was chosen as Music Director in 1980, and by 1983 all musicians were paid and the caliber of musicians gradually upgraded to a fully professional organization. In 1994 the Philharmonic adopted the name “Fremont Symphony Orchestra,” and performed exclusively at the Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts at Ohlone College for the next twenty seasons.

In 2012, Gregory Van Sudmeier succeeded David Sloss as Music Director, and continues to serve in this role today.

In 2014, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church was introduced as an alternate performance venue in addition to the Smith Center at Ohlone College.