|
A Brief History
The River Cities Symphony Orchestra was founded in May, 1997, to continue the tradition of orchestral performances in the region encompassing Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta, Ohio, which is locally referred to as the Mid Ohio Valley. That tradition had been embodied in the Marietta Chamber Orchestra, led by its music director, William Duer. After the dissolution of the Marietta Chamber Orchestra, musicians and members of the board of the Marietta Chamber Orchestra decided to create a new orchestra to continue that tradition.
From inception, the mission of the River Cities Symphony Orchestra has been to provide the highest level of orchestral music attainable, featuring professional musicians from the Mid-Ohio Valley, West Virginia, Southeastern Ohio and internationally acclaimed soloists. The Orchestra was incorporated on August 14, 1997. The RCSO’s first performance, with Gayle Walker of Marietta College as guest conductor, was presented at the Blennerhassett School Auditorium in Parkersburg on November 23, 1997. The RCSO, now beginning its eleventh season with Robert Turizziani as music director, has performed more than 60 concerts in Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH. The orchestra performs four regular season concerts a year and two music education programs in the public school systems. The orchestra features 45 to 55 outstanding musicians for each of these concerts.
The RCSO searched for a permanent music director during its first three concert seasons. During this period of searching for a music director and seeking its identity the orchestra also developed into a more professional level musical organization. Many outstanding guest conductors led the orchestra in those years. Kimo Furumoto, former Music Director of the Huntington (WV) Symphony Orchestra and former Orchestral Director at Ohio University School of Music was the principal guest conductor. Mr. Furumoto appeared with the orchestra in six orchestral programs. Furumoto, Robert Turizziani and other fine guest conductors provided valuable guidance in our search in becoming a high quality regional orchestra.
Robert Turizziani became our first and only music director beginning with the 2000-2001 concert season. Maestro Turizziani first appeared as guest conductor in October, 1998, in a memorable concert featuring cellist Steven Doane, with a truly remarkable performance of the Dvorak Cello Concerto. He then appeared many times as guest conductor before assuming the position of music director. Under Maestro Turizziani's exacting leadership, the RCSO has been able to achieve ambitious artistic standards and continuing improvement. Turizziani is also founder and music director of the acclaimed Seneca Chamber Orchestra, and is both principal clarinet and personnel director of the West Virginia Symphony, and has made guest conducting appearances with the West Virginia Symphony.
The RCSO has featured many outstanding soloists, including international renown artists, such as pianist Yuliya Gorenman, prizewinner at the Queen Elisabeth competition in Belgium; cellist Steven Doane; violinist Juliette Kang, gold medal winner at the Indianapolis International competition; pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout and violinist John Harrison. Outstanding local and regional soloists who have appeared include pianist Richard Syracuse of Ohio University, pianist David Zapka of West Liberty College, and soprano Mariel Van Dalsum Boggs of Charleston, WV.
The RCSO supports an educational program to bring our music to a greater youth audience. In addition to full orchestra performances in the public school systems, string chamber groups from the orchestra also perform at various elementary and middle schools in West Virginia and Ohio, appearing before thousands of students.
The RCSO is governed by a small dedicated board of directors who donate their time and resources to make this orchestra possible. In many ways, this orchestra is the wonderful tale of the little orchestra that could. Many people in the Mid Ohio Valley did not believe that an orchestra of this quality was possible, or capable of finding adequate support. With its loyal following of patrons, local businesses and foundations, The RCSO has succeeded in bringing memorable performances to the Mid-Ohio Valley for the past nine seasons, and intends to keep that tradition alive.
|
