Launching a Cultural Contribution: History of LaGrange Symphony Orchestra

By Forrest Clark Johnson, III, County Historian, Troup County, Georgia

The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert on January 14, 1990. The idea originated in 1989 with Harry Kruger, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Symphony. He broached the subject with cellist and LaGrange College Professor, Dr. David Naglee. They enlisted the assistance of Dr. Walter Y. Murphy, then President of LaGrange College, whose enthusiastic response assured the success of the venture.

The three men, backed by college and community, decided to “give it a try” and sent out notices for auditions. The original name was LaGrange College-Community Orchestra. By the first concert, presented free as a gift to the community, there were 72 musicians from East Alabama and West Georgia, a Board of Directors, and several backers. They debuted at LaGrange College’s Price Theatre; the other two performances of season one were held at Berta Weathersbee Auditorium. The name change, to Lagrange Symphony Orchestra, occurred before the third concert. The second season began in October of 1990.

By founding LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, they launched a cultural contribution long needed in this area whose mission “ to enrich the community through music” has expanded each successive season of its twenty year history. The area covered by “community” has expanded along with support from and involvement in the community. Interaction with other Performing Arts groups strengthens their value to and visibility within the cultural life of LaGrange and environs. The creation of the LaGrange Symphony Guild in April of 1991 expanded community and financial support and led to annual Pops Concerts and “My Favorite Things” Luncheons and a bi-annual Garden Tour.

In 2001, Dr. Kruger retired and Dr. Patricio Cobos, internationally renowned musician and maestro, became the second Music Director and Conductor. Every season since he first “lifted the baton,” performance levels and professional reputation have increased significantly.

LaGrange Symphony Orchestra began free, annual Children’s Concerts in 1992, supported by Junior Service League and local schools. Each year, they give two free concerts (one in Georgia, one in Alabama) to over 3,500 public, private, and home schooled children. In 1995, they started the Music In Schools Program bringing small groups of performing artists into schools for music and discussions, reaching another 3,600 students.

Initiated in 1996, the Young Artists Competition is open to young artists from all over the South. A competition for best stringed instrument player in each local school, the Arco Awards, began in 2000. In 2003, the SCALA competition, open to area middle and high school students, was created. In 2007, LSO became parent organization of the LaGrange Youth Orchestra, from which conductor, Callie Knight Hammond, developed the LaGrange Youth String Ensemble in 2008. Hammond now conducts the Youth String Ensemble, for ages 7 to 15, and the Piccolo String Ensemble, a beginners’ group for ages 5 to 10. Lee Johnson is now Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestra.

In 2007, LaGrange College named LaGrange Symphony Orchestra as their Orchestra-In-Residence, cementing their twenty year relationship and giving the orchestra a permanent home at Callaway Auditorium, whose multi-million dollar renovation was done with the symphony in mind. In 2010, the symphony and college again collaborated to create a symphonic-level choir at the college, the LaGrange Symphony Chorus, led by Deborah Ogle. The symphony will continue its long association with other area choral groups as well.

LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc. is incorporated as a 501 c3 non-profit organization.

Music Outreach Programs

According to Nancy Stevens, LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Co-Chair of the Children's Concert, "We all want to live in communities that value the arts and offer our children the opportunity to benefit from exposure to an involvement in the many aspects of the arts.” The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Board is committed to providing outstanding concerts and educational outreach programs for the children and adults of Troup County and surrounding areas.

With this in mind, the Symphony is expanding the educational and musical programs for area school children. Working in cooperation with music teachers and principals throughout the school system, Conductor Cobos and Nancy Stevens hope to generate and share ideas which are enhancing the music curriculum through the following programs:

1. Since 1991, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, in cooperation with the Troup County Board of Education and the Junior Service League, has given a concert to 3,300 third and fourth grade students (including home schooled children from the area) each year, keyed to their age level and interest. Since 2000, in cooperation with Chambers County Board of Education, schools in the Chambers County, Al. area have been included with separate concerts at Langdale, Al. Auditorium. Weeks before the concert music teachers teach the musical program and the identification of the instruments in order to enhance the experience for the students. Teachers select students to write concert reviews which are published in the LaGrange Daily News and the Valley Times respectively.

2. Small ensembles from the Orchestra perform in elementary schools in the service area. This program is designed for smaller groups, and provides a hands-on approach as the children listen to music, meet and talk with musicians. During a recent Spring, the ensembles performed on 22 occasions for 3,600 children.

3. A Young Artists Competition offers talented young musicians from the five adjoining southeastern states a wonderful opportunity to perform before recognized judges and a public audience. This program was initiated in 1996. Awards are presented for first place ($1500 and the opportunity to perform as a featured soloist with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra), Ssecond place  ($1000) and  third place ($500). The Barbara Malis Award is also given through a grant from the LaGrange Woman’s Club to a contestant who resides in Troup County.

4. Since 2004 the SCALA (Student Competition Awards in the LaGrange Area) competition has been held for students from middle school or high school music students (18 or under) who live within a 50 mile radius of LaGrange in the categories of strings, winds, keyboard/percussion, and voice. Cash awards are presented to the winners at a recital, open to the public, given each Summer.