History
History
Founded in 1922 by Chester Kitzinger, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the oldest symphony orchestra in the state of Indiana. After graduating from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 1917, Kitzinger returned to his hometown and established himself as a violin teacher in Columbus. He put together a Sunday school orchestra at the Tabernacle Christian Church, which eventually became the CSO. Many of the violinists were his students, while members of the City Band provided the wind and percussion instruments. The premiere performance of the CSO was May 17, 1923 at the Crump Theater.
The full orchestra was reorganized as Columbus Pro Musica in 1970, while the Columbus Symphony Orchestra retained its identity and continued as a volunteer orchestra. Shortly after the reorganization, Kitzinger was named Conductor Emeritus and Dale Spurlock became Music Director. Arkady Orlovsky became Music Director during the 1992-1993 Season. In 1997, celebrating its 75th Season, the CSO returned to the Crump Theater where its inaugural concert was held. After eighteen years as Music Director, Orlovsky retired.
In 2010, Roger Kalia was named the CSO's fourth Music Director, serving through the 2013-2014 Season. During his tenure, Kalia partnered with the CSO to produce national and local premieres of orchestral works and collaborations with noteworthy local artists such as Andrew Lunsford, Mary-Claire King, and Emma Peters. The CSO's close relationship to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music provided the orchestra with an extremely capable conductor, musician, and valued partner in Hao-An Cheng.
In 2015, the CSO appointed Josh Aerie as Music Director. During his tenure, Aerie co-led the development of the Laura Showalter Youth Concerto Competition and the Composition Competition with the CSO Board of Directors. Aerie's final season coincided with the CSO's Centennial Season.
The CSO is currently searching for its next Music Director.
