Spotlight: Celebrating 90 Years

90 years ago, on March 20, 1932, 57 local musicians gathered on stage for the inaugural concert of the Charlotte Symphony. The skies were cloudy on that Palm Sunday afternoon as hundreds of Charlotteans poured into the Carolina Theatre on Tryon Street to survey the new orchestra. The free concert was led by founding Music Director Guillermo de Roxlo, a recent immigrant to the United States and an accomplished conductor and composer.

Musicians of the Charlotte Symphony, 1932

This moment was the spark that ignited a legacy of musical excellence in Charlotte that continues today through mainstage performances, community events, three Youth Orchestras, brewery concerts, educational programs, and much more.

Maestro de Roxlo

As part of the Charlotte Symphony’s season-long celebration, the CSO is launching a free virtual archive, showcasing items from the Symphony’s history, including original handwritten scores, photos, program books, and first-person interviews.

Charlotte Observer review, March 21, 1932

Through four exhibits, we explore the founding of the Symphony, learn the history of our education programs, delve into the Symphony’s eleven Music Directors, and hear from Leroy Sellers who, along with Dr. Samuel Davis, was the first Black musician to be hired by the Charlotte Symphony.

Dr. Samuel Davis

Visit charlottesymphony.org/history to explore our new virtual archive exhibits.

The Carolina Theatre in 1932