About the JSO
History
The JSO is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in the 2009-2010 Season!
The Jackson Symphony Orchestra has a rich and vibrant history serving the Jackson area for 60 years. Our mission is to add value, joy and enrichment to the lives of all Jackson area residents through music. The Jackson Symphony strives to impact the lives of everyone in the community either directly through performances and education programs or indirectly by offering positive programs and arts support in collaboration with community agencies, educators and other arts organizations.
The orchestra has performed with many legendary figures in the world of music including Dizzy Gillespie, Grant Johannesen, Ralph Votapek and Ian Hobson. Mannheim Steamroller, Ann Murray, and the Manhattan Transfer have invited the orchestra to do multi-state regional tours with them. The repertoire of the orchestra has been adventurous (including two entire seasons where every piece performed was from the 20th Century) and has drawn national attention as evidenced by frequent grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The orchestra has premiered works by such distinguished composers as Jeff Beal, Crawford Gates, David Gibson, Robert De Gaetano, Falla Guitar Trio and it's own composer in residence, J. Bruce Brown.
Operas including Tosca, La Boheme, Merry Wives of Windsor, Die Fledermaus have been presented in fully staged productions and eight different collaborations with the Indianapolis Ballet and Grand Rapids Ballet have resulted in magical productions of Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker.
Mission Statement: "To provide performance, listening and learning opportunities in a variety of venues that shall have the potential to reach and enrich the lives of everyone in the community."
Below are some of the important highlights in the history of the JSO:
1949 - The Jackson Symphony Orchestra is founded. The JSO is a strong regional orchestra performing 5 subscription concerts, 2 pops concerts, 4 chamber concerts, Jazz Night performances and numerous in-school children's concerts annually.
1980 - Principle performance venue moves from Jackson High School to Jackson Community College.
1985 - The JSO moves into it's own rehearsal/office space at the Commerical Exchange.
1991 - The Community Music School (JSOCMS) is launched. The school was founded with two objectives 1) To provide quality private and group instruction on orchestral instruments for community residents; 2) To provide additional employment opportunities for orchestra members to attract and maintain quality players for the orchestra. Today, the music school instructs nearly 250 students and maintains a faculty of 16 instructors, most of whom are orchestra members.
1994 - The JSO completes $1.4 million capital/ endowment campaign. This provides a home for the orchestra in the center of downtown Jackson. The facility, made available by Comerica Bank at a favorable lease agreement, includes 11,000 square feet of rehearsal, office and studio space. Over 500 individuals attend weekly for lessons, rehearsals, concerts, classes, and community meetings.
1999 - JSO Celebrates 50 years Plans broaden the community reach of the organization as follows:
- Babies in Tune The families of all babies born in Jackson County receive a complimentary CD and infant development instructional booklet developed and recorded by the JSO.
- After School String Programs for Children at Risk The JSO conducts after-school string programs for children in 2nd – 5th grades. Over 350 children participate; 50% are minorities.
- Home School Orchestra Children meet twice weekly at the JSO. Beginning and intermediate level small ensemble instruction is offered.
- Chamber Series We feature JSO resident musicians and offer classical, 20th Century and Jazz repertoires.
- String Academy Providing an intensive course of study for young musicians, admittance to the JSO string academy is through audition only. Private instruction is required.
- Summer Strings Camp/ Piano Camp Three week summer music offering concentrates on musicianship, playing, fun with music with peers, and small ensemble work.
- JSO Goes to School An umbrella program for in-school education providing a music education/concert experience for grade school students. 3,000 children served annually.
- JSO String Team Jump start group instruction for beginning string students. String Teams meet twice weekly in large and small group settings.
2007 -
Maestro Osmond celebrates 30 years as Music Director of the JSO.
JSO Community Music School celebrates 15 years in downtown facility.
Comerica donates building to JSO. A gift valued at nearly $1 million provides additional 16,000 square feet and is the catalyst for moving forward with a vision for the future.
JSO Launches $4.5 million Capital and Endowment Campaign, Sound Vision. Campaign expected completion: 2012.
2009/2010 Season - The JSO celebrates 60 years of music making!
JSO Stats:
Current Annual Budget: $612,000
No of Employees: 5; 2 full time 3 part time
No. of Musicians employed: 75 - 100
No. of performances: 10 to 12 annually - 5 Subscription Series concerts, Summer Pops, Holiday Concert, In-School Concerts, 3 to 4 Chamber Series concerts and the Symphony Guild's Annual Ball.
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