Garland Symphony Orchestra

Specialties

The Garland Symphony Orchestra is a 501©3 nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance the quality of life in our growing and diverse community by inspiring, entertaining and involving citizens and organizations through music concerts of superior cultural and educational value.

History

Established in 1978.

Since March 1978, the Garland Symphony Orchestra has been dedicated to providing performances of great orchestral music to Garland and its surrounding communities. During the span of twenty-​six years, the GSO has presented over 180 concerts featuring the music of more than 200 composers, including the premieres of new works by Texas composers.

The orchestra’s first season was led by violinist James Gambino; for the following two seasons, the late Howard Dunn, former conductor of the much 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 Maestro Austin’s leadership, the orchestra made the transition from a group of highly dedicated volunteer musicians to a virtuoso ensemble of the finest professional instrumentalists in the DFW Metroplex.