For 40 years, the Garland Symphony Orchestra has been dedicated to providing performances of great orchestral music to Garland and its surrounding communities. Since its inception in 1978, GSO has impacted the lives of thousands of community members through music education and performances.
The orchestra’s first season was led by violinist James Gambino; for the following two seasons, the late Howard Dunn, former conductor of the highly regarded Dallas Wind Symphony, took the podium. Mischa Semanitzky took up the GSO’s baton for the 1981-82 season and was succeeded by Daniel Hornstein.
In 1986, the artistic reins of the Garland Symphony Orchestra were passed to the current Music Director, Robert Carter Austin. Under his leadership, the orchestra made the transition from a group of highly dedicated volunteer musicians to a professional ensemble of the finest instrumentalists in the DFW Metroplex. The growth to a prestigious, professional ensemble has created a strong orchestra, with a great deal of members who have been meeting new challenges and successes with the GSO for more than 10 years.
In addition to providing entertaining and inspiring musical performances, the Garland Symphony Orchestra also has a commitment to education in the community. Each year, the GSO provides many music education programs in and around the community, including their KidsNotes programs, Young People’s Concerts, and Informances. These programs, in addition to their Golden Ticket Program, allow the GSO to reach more than 10,000 community members every year from all age groups and walks of life.
Great composers paint a musical picture, and sometimes they even try to communicate a specific color. The GSO’s 2018-19 concert season “Symphonic Kaleidoscope” will explore this intriguing intersection between the aural and the visual. With repertoire ranging from Copland’s The Red Pony to Gliere’s Red Poppy Suite and from Auber’s Le domino noir to Ellington’s Mood Indigo, we will share with you a panoramic palette of orchestral sound.
The season opens with pianist Simone Sala returning to perform Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. The GSO will also feature Kiarra Saito-Beckman, violinist, performing John Corigliano’s Chaconne from The Red Violin, along with former London Symphony Orchestra Principal Violist returning to perform the Walton Viola Concerto. The musicians and Maestro Austin cordially invite you to join the Garland Symphony Orchestra for a dazzling kaleidoscope of exceptional music!
Single tickets and season subscriptions are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the symphony office at 972-926-0611 or by visiting www.garlandsymphony.org.
The GSO credits its Austin for its continued outstanding and diverse orchestral programming. His background encompasses over 40 years of professional music experience and includes degrees from MIT, Cambridge University, and Stanford University. His musical experience includes conducting performances in countries including: Korea, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Spain, China, France, Germany, Mexico, Bulgaria, Ecuador, Colombia, Philippines, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and the United States.
More information: www.garlandsymphony.org.