History

The vision of Mrs. W. C. Windsor and efforts of members of the Music Committee of the Tyler Women's Forum culminated in the creation of the Tyler Symphony Orchestra;  first performing March 16, 1936.  A four-concert season, under the direction of three successive conductors, was presented each year until the group disbanded during the Second World War.  Community leaders whose ranks included Mrs. Varina G. Powell, a Tyler Symphony violinist, and Roger A. Harris, manager of the Chamber of Commerce, revived orchestra operations in 1950.

Joseph Kirshbaum of the North Texas State University music faculty was named resident conductor, successfully leading and promoting the Symphony's growth until his retirement in 1978.

Reflecting the region from which it drew both musicians and audience, the Orchestra was renamed the East Texas Symphony Orchestra in 1954.  Orchestra operations have grown from a budget of $25,000 to a current budget of approximately $800,000, administered by a management team of an Executive Director, Finance and Human Resources Director, Patron Services Director, and Development Director.  The organization is governed by the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Association Board of Directors, composed of over 30 volunteers from the community who represent a variety of professions and skill sets.  Orchestra personnel are an ensemble of professional musicians from East Texas and the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area.

Community support for the ETSO has always been vigorous and broad based.  Since its inception in 1955, the Women's Symphony League of Tyler, Inc. has remained the most significant contributor to the annual operating budget.  Additional funding comes from individual and corporate community support, grant funding through public and private foundations, and endowment support from the East Texas Symphony Orchestra Foundation.