Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
| Company type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, performing arts |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Defunct | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York , United States |
| Products | Orchestral performances, youth ensembles |
Number of employees | 79 musicians |
The Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO), comprising 79 musicians, was an orchestra located in Syracuse, New York. It held the position of the 43rd largest orchestra in the United States and presented series such as the Post-Standard Classics and M&T Bank Pops. The organization also oversaw two youth ensembles: the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Syracuse Symphony Youth String Orchestra.
History
Established in 1961 as a community orchestra with funding from the Gifford Foundation, its initial music director was Karl Kritz, assisted by Benson Snyder and Carolyn Hopkins. The first season featured four subscription concerts held at Central High School’s Lincoln Auditorium, alongside eight concerts for young audiences and a single pops concert. By its third season, permanent chamber ensembles had been formed, including a string quartet, woodwind quintet, brass quintet, and percussion group.
Thanks to financial aid from a Ford Foundation Challenge Grant, the orchestra’s budget grew, enabling regular broadcasts on WONO-FM. Performances relocated to Henninger High School, with additional concerts presented in regional cities such as Watertown, Rome, and Cortland. In 1975, the ensemble established its residence at the Crouse Hinds Theater within the John H. Mulroy Civic Center Theaters at Oncenter.
In 2011, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Subsequently, forty principal musicians created a self-governed ensemble named Symphony Syracuse. On December 14, 2012, Musical Associates of Central New York introduced a new musician-owned orchestra called Symphoria.
On February 17, 2024, Symphoria revealed plans to rebrand itself as The Syracuse Orchestra.
List of Musical Directors
- Karl Kritz (1961–1969)
- Frederik Prausnitz (1971–1975)
- Christopher Keene (1975–1985)
- Kazuyoshi Akiyama (1985–1992)
- Fabio Mechetti (1992–1999)
- Daniel Hege (1999–2011)
Programming
In addition to its primary series—the Post-Standard Classics, M&T Bank Pops, Central New York Community Foundation Family Series, and Stained Glass Series—the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra actively participated in educational initiatives for youth, free summer concerts in local parks, and collaborated with Syracuse Opera. Its performances were broadcast twice weekly on WCNY-FM.
Awards
The orchestra was honored with the Governor’s Arts Award in 1999 in recognition of its impact on the region’s cultural landscape.
Finances
Operating as a non-profit entity, the orchestra depended on backing from the Syracuse Symphony Association and oversight by a board consisting of 60 members. It experienced two season reductions due to financial constraints—in spring 1992 and again in spring 2011—when it could not secure sufficient funds to maintain operations. In April 2011, confronted with unfunded pension obligations, the organization announced intentions to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leading to its dissolution and closure.