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
American Voices
American Voices
Young People's Concert: People, Places, and Feelings in Music
Recent News
West Virginia Symphony Presents 'American Voices' in Charleston and Parkersburg on November 9-10, 2024
Charleston, W.VA.– The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2023-24 season with Music Director Maurice Cohn with American Voices featuring WVSO on Nov. 9 at the Clay Center in Charleston and on Nov. 10 at Blennerhassett School…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Announces Piano Concerto Competition Winner, Azalea Kelley
CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces the winner of this fall’s Youth Piano Concerto Competition, West Virginia University senior Azalea Kelley. As the winner, Kelley will appear as a guest soloist with the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Announces Student Piano Concerto Competition
CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces a 2024 Student Piano Concerto Competition for West Virginia students ages 12-22. The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the WVSO on November 18 as part of its Young…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Announces The Norman Jordan African American Arts and Heritage Academy WVSO Diversity in Arts Awardee
CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces the winner of the 2024 Diversity in Arts Award, The Norman Jordan African American Arts & Heritage Academy (NJAAAHA). The WVSO’s Diversity in Arts Award…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Presents AVN Corp. Symphony Sunday 2024: Wild, Wild West Virginia Symphony on June 2, 2024
CHARLESTON, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) invites the public to AVN Corp. Symphony Sunday, on Sunday, June 2 on the University of Charleston lawn. This long-time tradition on the lawn of the University of Charleston celebrates…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Williamstown Middle/HighSchool Student Named as the Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholar
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2024 winner of the Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship. Jillian Carr, freshman at Williamstown Middle/High School in Wood County, successfully auditioned and…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Presents 'A Melding of Cultures: Spring Tour 2024'
Charleston, W. VA – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is thrilled take its musical offerings across the state with A Melding of Cultures: Spring Tour 2024 on April 17-21, 2024 in Elkins, Fairmont, Lewisburg, Charleston, and…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship Offered for Students in Wood and Surrounding Counties
CHARLESTON, W.VA. – 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…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Presents 'Louis Armstrong and Friends' on March 23-24 in Charleston, Parkersburg
Charleston, W.VA. – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) concludes its ZMM Architects & Engineers Pop Series with a night of jazz hits during Louis Armstrong & Friends on March 23-24 in Charleston and Parkersburg. Music…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Presents 'A New World of Music' on March 9, 2024
Charleston, W.VA. – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents ‘A New World of Music’ on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in Charleston. Music Director Maurice Cohn leads the orchestra and the…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Welcomes New Musicians to WV Symphony Roster
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is thrilled to welcome a group of new musicians, including a new concertmaster, to the WVSO family after auditions in late 2023. With New Music Director Maurice Cohn in place, the WVSO…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces 2024 Vaughan Fellows
Charleston, W.VA. – Three high school juniors have been selected to serve as the 2024 Student Symphonic Fellows for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (WVSO) Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program. D.J. Austin, from Huntington…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Presents 'Great Movie Soundtracks' on February 10, 2024
CHARLESTON, W.V. – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its ZMM Architects & Engineers Pop Series with a trip through the world of movie music with Great Movie Soundtracks at the Clay Center. Music Director Maurice…
Read More »The Charleston Ballet and the WV Symphony Present 'The Nutcracker' on December 8-9, 2023
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (12/1/23) – The Charleston Ballet and The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) will present the 20th anniversary production of The Nutcracker on December 8 at 7:30 p.m. and December 9 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Clay…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Brass and Percussion Ensemble to Perform at City of Charleston's Fourth of July Celebrations
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Brass & Percussion Ensemble to perform at City of Charleston’s Fourth of July Celebrations CHARLESTON, W.VA. (6/29/23) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Vandalia Gathering Contest Winners Announced
HARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s champion old-time fiddle, bluegrass banjo, mandolin players competed for top honors on Saturday, May 27, during the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History’s 46th annual Vandalia…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces WVSO Operations Manager to Participate in First-ever Performance of International Pride Orchestra
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces WVSO Operations Manager to participate in first-ever performance of International Pride Orchestra CHARLESTON, W.VA. (6/9/23) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces WVSO Operations Manager to Participate in First-ever Performance of International Pride Orchestra
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce that the WVSO’s Operations and Annual Fund Manager James Shamblin has been appointed as the Director of Operations for the prestigious International Pride…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Next Music Director and the 2023-24 Season: Live and Loving it!
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Next Music Director and the 2023-24 Season: Live and Loving it! CHARLESTON, W.Va. (6/4/2023) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is thrilled to announce Maurice Cohn as the…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Diversity in the Arts Award
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is excited to announce a new award to celebrate diversity in the arts. As West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, the WVSO is leading the charge to highlight efforts…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Wirt County H.S. Student Named as Dr.James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholar
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Wirt County H.S. Student Named as Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholar CHARLESTON, W.VA. – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2023 winner of the Dr. James F. Dunphy…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces AVN Corp. Symphony 2023
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces AVN Corp. Symphony Sunday 2023: There’s no place like Home, a Ruby Celebration The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) invites the public to AVN Corp. Symphony Sunday, on Sunday, June 4 on…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents 'Bold and Brassy'
Charleston, W.V. – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) concludes its 2022-23 season and Music Director search May 6 and 7 with Bold & Brassyin Charleston and Parkersburg. On Saturday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in…
Read More »West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Presents 'Renewal'
Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2022-23 season and Music Director search April 22 with Renewal in Charleston. On Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in Charleston, guest conductor and…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces AARP WV Presents 'Paddles and Preludes: A Pickleball Tournament' on April 29, 2023
Charleston, W.V. –The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) announces the second annual, AARP WV, WVSO Paddles & Preludes: A Pickleball Tournament to be held at the Charleston Tennis Club on Saturday, April 29. “AARP is proud to…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra presents : Blockbuster Adventures
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (3/15/23) - The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) presents the final offering in this season’s ZMM Architects & Engineers Pops Series, Blockbuster Adventures on Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Charleston and…
Read More »WV Symphony Orchestra announces Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship for Students in Wood and Surrounding Counties
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (3/7/23) – 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 »WV Symphony Orchestra Announces Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship for Students in Wood and Surrounding Counties
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship for Students in Wood and Surrounding Counties Instrumental students in Wood and seven surrounding counties are invited to apply for a locally-based scholarship…
Read More »Wv Symphony Orchestra Presents : Symphonie Fantastique
CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/26/23) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its 2022-23 season and Music Director search March 11 with Symphonie fantastique in Charleston. On Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center in…
Read More »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…
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