Add an Article Add an Event Edit

The Culver City Symphony Orchestra

4117 Overland Avenue and Culver Boulevard
310-717-5500

The orchestra was founded in 1963 in the Los Angeles suburb of Westchester by George Berres - a noted violinst and composer active in the film music studios, and was initially a twenty member string orchestra. Through the dedication of the musicians, the board of directors and officers, elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers, it evolved to a full symphony orchestra presenting master works of the past and music of the 20th and 21st Centuries. The orchestra presents exciting concert performances of operas, and sponsors the Parness Young Artists Concerto Competition. Frank Fetta became the conductor and music director after Berres' death.

Through its history, the orchestra has performed under a series of names. Initially called the Westchester Symphony, it became The Marina del Rey-Westchester Symphony for the music devotees of burgeoning Marina del Rey. After the orchestra was invited by Culver City to perform there, the name became The Culver City-Marina-Westchester Symphony, prompting the Los Angeles Times to call it "the orchestra with the long name."

Upon invitation from Culver City, we moved there in 2000. We welcomed new Symphony Society Members and audiences from Culver City, and greatly appreciated that our long-time Members and audience from throughout Southern California continued to attend our concerts. After becoming established in Culver City, in 2005 the orchestra was named The Culver City Symphony Orchestra.


Photos