About HSO
Our Mission
From the first rehearsal February 16, 1955 in the Butler High School band room, the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra has always been guided by its mission to bring extraordinary musical and educational opportunities to the people of Huntsville-Madison and greater Tennessee Valley area.
The Beginnings of the HSO
Alvin Dreger
Cellist Alvin Dreger was the first manager of the HSO. He realized that Huntsville (then a town of 16,000 residents) was transforming into an international center for the booming aerospace industry. He also saw firsthand that many of the area’s German newcomers were keen enthusiasts and practitioners of classical music.
Arthur M. Fraser
Canadian-born Arthur M. Fraser was the HSO’s founding Music Director. (1955-59) Fraser encouraged the development of the early HSO infrastructure, including the first Board of Directors. He believed so strongly in the HSO mission that he accepted only travel reimbursements (and an occasional honorarium when there were excess funds).
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild
The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild was officially organized in June 1960. Mrs. Jesse (Mildred) Anderson served as the first Guild President. For generations, the HSO Guild has worked energetically to promote the orchestra’s health, growth, and community engagement. Through enthusiastic advocacy and award-winning fundraising initiatives such as the annual Crescen-Dough Auction (est. 1974) this has been possible.
Crescen-Dough was originally to be a one-time event to support the commission of a new oratorio, Galileo Galilei by Lee Hoiby, to celebrate the opening of the Mark C. Smith Concert Hall at the VBC. To this day, the concert hall has remained the orchestra’s performing home.
