Charleston
West Virginia
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
History:
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra has grown tremendously from when it started in 1939 as a partnership with local chemical plants in Charleston, WV.
On September 19, 1939, 55 musicians gathered for their first rehearsal as the Charleston Civic Orchestra. Under the direction of William R. Wiant, their first concert was given at Charleston ‘s Municipal Auditorium on November 14, 1939 . During Wiant’s years as conductor, the orchestra gave its first children’s concerts, pops concerts, and first performances of opera and ballet. The orchestra was incorporated and an Executive Board and Women’s Committee were formed to support its efforts.
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra maintains a significant commitment to music education by supporting education programs in Kanawha County Schools, bringing Young People’s Concerts to thousands of West Virginia elementary school students annually, and providing support to the West Virginia Youth Symphony.
Mission:
To enrich the region through live orchestral music experiences of the highest artistic quality, with a strong commitment to education and life-long learning.
Upcoming Events at West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
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Recent News
Wv Symphony Orchestra Announces 2023 Vaughan Fellows
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/1/2023) – As the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program, three high school juniors have been selected to serve as the 2023 Student Symphonic…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Free Stories, Myths, And Folktales Performance On The West Side
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (1/11/23) - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce a family-friendly performance of Stories, Myths & Folktales on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 3:00 p.m. at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Charleston’s West…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Symphonic Dances
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (1/2/23) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2022-23 season and Music Director search Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 with Symphonic Dances at the Clay Center in Charleston and Blennerhassett School in…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Fifth Third Bank Diversity In Music Fund
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce the creation of the “Fifth Third Bank Diversity in Music Fund”. In placing an emphasis on engaging in the local community, Fifth Third is proud to support the WVSO…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Holiday Favorite Sounds Of The Season December 2-4
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents its celebrated holiday favorite, Sounds of the Season, on Dec. 2, 3, and 4 in select venues across the state. Returning Guest Conductor and crowd favorite Michelle Merrill will lead the WVSO…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Around the World
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Around the World CHARLESTON, W.VA. (10/31/22) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2022-23 season and Music Director search Nov. 19 with Around the World at the Clay Center in…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Deadline To Apply For Music Fellowship Is January 4, 2023
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra invites all high school instrumental music students to apply for the Andrew and Amy Vaughan Student Symphonic Fellowship, a monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music students. January 4,…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Presents Young People's Concert, Gershwin's Magic Key
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Young People’s Concert, Gershwin’s Magic Key The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents Gershwin’s Magic Key, a Young People’s Concert in Charleston, Clarksburg, and…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Maier Foundation 'Look Behind The Curtain…'
– The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) welcomes area college students to apply to the newly founded Maier Foundation “A Look Behind the Curtain…” program which begins on Saturday, Oct. 15. Thanks to funding from the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Opening Sensation
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Opening Sensation CHARLESTON, W.VA. (9/07/22) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) kicks off its 2022-23 season and Music Director search Sept. 17 with its Opening Sensation concert at the…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Williamstown H.S. Student Named asDr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholar
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2022 winner of the Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship. Rivion Bennett, rising sophomore at Williamstown High School, successfully auditioned and interviewed for the scholarship,…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra announces Mozart: Requiem featuring AreaChoruses on April 2
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (3/25/22) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues the Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series with Mozart: Requiem on Saturday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in Charleston. Music director Lawrence Loh…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Respect: A Tribute Toaretha Franklin On May 7 To Replace May 3 Concert
The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces the cancellation of Michael Bolton: Symphony Sessions that was to be co-presented with the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences of WV on Tuesday, May 3. The final show of the ZMM Architects…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra announces James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarshipfor Parkersburg-Area Students
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/17/2022) – Instrumental students in Wood and seven surrounding counties are invited to apply for a locally-based scholarship that offers private music lessons with a West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) musician,…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Huntington Cellist to Serve as 2022 Vaughan Fellow
Charleston, WV -- Lillian Chongswatdi of Huntington, W.Va., will serve as the 2022 Student Symphonic Fellow for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (WVSO) Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program. She was chosen after January auditions and…
Read More »WV Symphony to Receive $100,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts as Part of the American Rescue Plan
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (1/31/22) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is pleased to announce they have been approved to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Holiday Favorite Sounds of the Season
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents its celebrated holiday favorite, Sounds of the Season, on Dec. 3, 4, and 5 in select venues across the state. Guest Conductor and Parkersburg native Luke Frazier will lead the…
Read More »West Virigina Symphony Orchestra presents Celebration of Keys
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (10/29/21) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2021-22 season with performances of Celebration of Keys on Nov. 13 and 14 in Charleston and Parkersburg. The WVSO will be back on stage for its second…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Celebration of Keys on Nov. 13 and 14 in Charleston and Parkersburg
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2021-22 season with performances of Celebration of Keys on Nov. 13 and 14 in Charleston and Parkersburg. The WVSO will be back on stage for its second concert in the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Deadline to Apply for Music Fellowship is December 17, 2021
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra invites all high school instrumental music students to apply for the Andrew and Amy Vaughan Student Symphonic Fellowship, a monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents Opening Night!
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) kicks off its 2021-22 season Oct. 16 and 17 with a spectacular season opening concert in Charleston and Parkersburg. On Saturday, Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Upgraded WVSO Kid's Website
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to share its newly updated WVSO educational website – www.wvsokids.org. “We are so excited to share the new WVSO educational website,” said Betty King, Vice…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces WVSO Chorus to Welcome New Singers
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) Chorus is pleased to extend an invitation for new singers to join the group for the 2021-22 season. “The WVSO Chorus looks forward to an exciting, rewarding return this fall and a…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Saint Marys H.S. Studentas Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholar
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2021 winner of the Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship. Kyle Jones, a rising junior at Saint Marys High School, successfully auditioned and interviewed for the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces $10,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
Charleston, WV -- The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) has been approved for a $10,000 Grants for Arts Projects award to support musician salaries and logistical costs of performing during the upcoming 2021-2022 Symphony season. This project…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Scholarship Deadline Approaches for Parkersburg-Area Students
CHARLESTON, W.V. -- The May 21 deadline is approaching for Instrumental students in Wood and seven surrounding counties to apply for a locally-based scholarship that offers private music lessons with a West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO)…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces the 2021-22 Season of Full of Live Performances
Charleston, WV -- The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) plans a return to full concerts for its 2021-22 season and announces the departure of its 10th Music Director, Larry Loh, at the end of the next season. “We are so excited and energized by…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces 'Banner, Bailey and Beethoven' Stream and Television Broadcast
Charleston, WV -- The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents “Banner, Bailey & Beethoven” for digital stream on May 1 and “Bailey & Beethoven” for television broadcast on May 20 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. …
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship for Parkersburg - Area Students
Charleston, WV -- Instrumental students in Wood and seven surrounding counties are invited to apply for a locally-based scholarship that offers private music lessons with a West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) musician, invitations to WVSO…
Read More »Receipt of $5,000 Grant from Truist West Virginia Foundation
CHARLESTON, W.VA – The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) today announced it received a $5,000 grant from Truist West Virginia Foundation in support of WVSO musicians during the hard-hit pandemic season. “We are incredibly thankful to the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces 'A Serenade of Winds' Stream and Television Broadcast
The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents a “A Serenade of Winds” for digital stream on April 1 and television broadcast on April 29 on West Virginia Public Broadcasting. “A Serenade of Winds” brings Symphony musicians back…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces 'A Night of Eclectic Sounds' Streamand Television Broadcast
CHARLESTON, W.VA. –The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) will feature members of the Brass section and a quintet with pianist Barbara Nissman in a new concert available for digital stream on March 1 and television broadcast on March 11 on West…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Announces the Release of Two Streaming Young People's Concerts for WV Educators and Students
Charleston, WV -- The WV Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces the release of two Young People’s Concerts for on-demand streaming for educators and students across the state. Symphonic Safari and Great Composers Make History will be available…
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