Garland Symphony Orchestra

Band History

The Garland Symphony Orchestra appeals to an audience not only from Garland but from Dallas, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, Sachse and Wylie.

The orchestra's first season was led by violinist James Gambino. The following two seasons, the late Howard Dunn, former supervisor of music for the Dallas Independent School District, took the podium. Mischa Semanitzky, currently Director of the Purgatory Music Festival in Colorado, took up the GSO's baton for the concerts of the 1981-82 season. Maestro Semanitzky was succeeded by Daniel Hornstein, who now leads the Minot Symphony in North Dakota. Maestro Hornstein's four years with the GSO were highlighted by the performances of such major works as the Brahms First Symphony and the Beethoven Ninth Symphony.

In 1986, the artistic reins of the Garland Symphony were passed to the current Music Director, Robert Carter Austin. Under Maestro Austin's leadership, the orchestra has made the transition from a group composed of dedicated volunteer musicians to a virtuoso ensemble of professional instrumentalists.

Among the guest artists who have appeared with the GSO are pianists James Barbagallo and Alegria Arce, violinists Eliot Chapo and John Thomson, cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio, the Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, Chat Atkins, Carol Lawrence and the Platters. In addition to a subscription season of six concerts, the GSO performs youth concerts annually for thousands of school children.

The musicians of the GSO also share a working agreement with the cities of Arlington and Irving.

Information from the orchestra's site

Members

• Robert Carter Austin conductor, music director