Akron Symphony Orchestra


The Akron Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra based in Akron, Ohio. The ASO was founded in 1949. In 2006, the ASO appointed Christopher Wilkins music director. Wilkins has agreed to serve as director through 2021.
The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association.

History

The founding of the orchestra dates to 1949, when John Barry, "business manager of the Akron Beacon Journal, present Mabel Graham with $500 to start a symphony orchestra."
The first performance of the Akron Symphony Orchestra was on Feb. 24, 1953, in a concert "led by John Francis Farinacci, a high school teacher and band director," at Central-Hower High School.
On October 9, 1973, "E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall opens with a world premiere by Mexican composer Carlos Chavez" and performed by the Akron Symphony.

Conductors

Past conductors have included Laszlo Krausz, Louis Lane, Margaret Hillis, Alan Balter, Keith Lockhart, and Ya-Hui Wang.
Benjamin Zander has guest conducted the Akron Symphony on multiple occasions, including in January 2019, January 2017, and February 2008. The encore performance of Mahler's Second Symphony by Zander, which occurred on February 10, 2008, was the Akron Symphony Orchestra's debut in Severance Hall.