Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MO) Sentimental Sarabande Program Book

A HISTORY OF THE SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY: 1934 – PRESENT The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (SSO) came to life in the spring of 1934 after a group of Springfield High School students approached their music teacher, James Robertson, about forming a civic orchestra. With Robertson as the conductor, the orchestra performed its first concert on February 26, 1935, in Clara Thompson Hall, on the campus of Drury University. In 1936 a Board of Directors was formed, and beginning in 1943, orchestra members began receiving payment for their services – 50 cents an hour!

In 1942, the Symphony joined 39 other orchestras from across the country in founding the League of American Orchestras, formally known as the American Symphony Orchestra League. The League of American Orchestras is still the largest and most prestigious international body representing the orchestral industry today.

On March 19, 1950, Robertson left Springfield to take over the orchestra program at Wichita (KS) University and upon his departure; David Blumenthal became the second conductor of the SSO. Blumenthal believed strongly that the SSO’s purpose was to offer the city the best symphonic music possible and to allow the musicians of Springfield an opportunity to participate in a community orchestra. Blumenthal served as conductor until 1955 when he left Springfield to further his education back East.

Following Blumenthal’s departure, Chester Moffatt was elected by the board to assume the post of conductor. A native of Plato, MO, he taught high school music in Plato, Conway and Buffalo prior to coming to Springfield in 1941 at which time he joined the staff of the Springfield Public School system as the music instructor for Jarrett, Reed and Pipkin Junior High schools.

In 1956, the Women’s Division of the SSO was established. This dynamic group of volunteers is alive and well today in the form of the Springfield Symphony Guild, and has been instrumental in many major fundraising projects for the Symphony throughout its existence.

In 1961 a permanent Springfield Symphony Endowment was established for the purpose of investing funds to provide for future needs. Currently the endowment stands at over $2M. Following the Symphony’s departure from the campus of Drury University, concerts were performed in both Central High School’s auditorium as well as in the Evangel University Chapel Auditorium. Upon the completion of the new Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts in September 1992, the Symphony moved into the new facilities and has performed its subscription concerts there ever since. Through the Symphony’s history, various locations have been utilized for other performances such as chamber orchestra concerts and the annual Young People’s Concerts.

Following Moffat’s resignation for health reason in 1966, Charles Hall was named interim conductor of the Symphony. Twenty-three applications were received for the permanent position and, after researching all the candidates, the search committee recommended that Hall be retained as the permanent conductor of the orchestra.

Under his leadership the first annual Young People’s Concert were presented, the first Young Artists’ Competition was held, the Lester F. and Hanna R. Strauss Music Camp Scholarship Fund was established, the Summer Park Concerts were started and the Ensembles-In-Schools program was also launched. All of these programs, with the 63