Superior Sounds

Kokomo Symphony Orchestra Kicks Off 50th Season

For half a century, the Kokomo Symphonic Society, Inc. and the Kokomo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) have fulfilled the mission to bring live music to the community. In addition, youth education has also been an important goal. To celebrate its 50-year anniversary, the orchestra has a series of fun and lively performances planned, plus an upcoming fundraiser that will engage and entertain participants of all ages.

“In 1973 the Kokomo Symphonic Society was incorporated to explore interest,” says Anamaria Shrock, president of the Kokomo

Symphonic Society board. “Individuals stepped up to form a board and there was community support to raise funds. The first conductor of the resulting Kokomo Symphony was Benjamin DelVeccio. Over the years, support has ebbed and flowed. During the pandemic things basically shut

Celebrating down for two years.”

“Kokomo is having a resurgence,” says José Valencia, artistic director and current conductor. “It is important to have a symphony in an up-and-coming city. It is a community asset that stimulates creativity and brings people together.”

Valencia shares that stuffy performances of Beethoven or Mozart attended by patrons wearing black tie apparel are long gone. Today everyone is welcome and any attire is acceptable. The music has changed to works by contemporary composers such as John Williams, and recognizable movie soundtracks are featured.

“People listen to symphony music all the time and don’t know it,” Shrock says. “They appreciate it more than they think they do.”

The orchestra’s 50th season, 50 and Still Fantastic, was kicked off in early August as part of the Kokomo Summer Concert Series. The performance, “KSO & The Piano Man: The Music of Billy Joel & Elton John,” featured music from both artists’ 1973 albums. The ‘70s theme was a bit serendipitous since it was the decade of the KSO’s inception.

On October 21, the Golden Gala Concert is a celebration of the KSO’s 50-year anniversary. The special guest, internationally renowned opera singer Alicia Berneche, is returning to her hometown of Kokomo. She is an alumnus of the Kokomo Symphony Youth Orchestra, from the 1970s.

“From the very beginning, it was important to provide a strings program and a youth orchestra,” Shrock says. “There is a theory that music education boosts math and language skills. Also, learning to play an instrument is a great hobby.”

Registration for the KSO youth program classes is September 10th. A Youth Finale Concert is planned for May 5, 2024, at Grace United Methodist Church. More information can be found online or by calling the KSO office 765-236-0251.

Also coming this fall is the third annual TV Dinner Singalong Fundraiser, to be held October 28 at The Experience, located at 1801 Country Club Drive in Kokomo. This year’s fun event will highlight music from the 1970s, and includes dinner, trivia, a silent auction and more. Seats are $60, or $500 for a table, and can be purchased through the KSO website kokomosymphony.net.

Kicking off the Christmas season is Symphonic Sounds of the Season, on December 3. Familiar tunes from “The Nutcracker” and traditional carols as well as secular favorites will be included. A chance to sing along will get the entire family in the spirit.

The spring concert will be a collaboration with the Motif Community Choir. The audience will be treated to the Easter portion of Handel’s epic work, “Messiah.” The performance will end with “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The final production of the year will be May 18 and 19. “Broadway’s Great: Sondheim on Sondheim” combines the KSO’s talents with the Kokomo Civic Theatre. This multimedia presentation will seamlessly knit video interviews together with powerful vocals and music.

“We are grateful for our major grant funders - Community Foundation of Howard County, Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, The Arts Federation, Indiana Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, Howard County and the City of Kokomo,” says Jennifer Rollins, the Kokomo Symphonic Society director of development.

“The only way KSO will survive is by community support. People can buy tickets for individual performances or receive a discount by subscribing to the season’s series of concerts. If they don’t feel comfortable buying tickets online, they can call the office.”

For more info, call 765-236-0251 or go to kokomosymphony.com. Donate online or mail to: Kokomo Symphonic Society, Inc., P.O. Box 6115, Kokomo, IN 46904.