Sounds OF symphony
By Kerry Firth
Orchestra’s lineup features works by classical and modern composers
or 68 years the Brevard Symphony Orchestra
has been performing live symphonic music
that leaves the audience breathless. There is
really nothing quite like a live performance of
50-100 musicians playing in perfect harmony with
the melodic strings and mystical tones of the woodwinds
contrasting sharply with resonant brass and powerful
percussions, with movement and tempos that stir emotions
deep within the soul. Finally, they will be performing live
again at the King Center in Melbourne after a hiatus due to the
pandemic that swept the nation.
It all started in 1954 when accompaniment was needed for a
performance of The Mikado being presented by the Northrop
Glee Club. Thirteen musicians gathered for the performance
and decided to remain together under the name of Brevard
Light Concert Orchestra. Concerts were held regularly for the
next several years and a decade later the Brevard Symphony
Orchestra was incorporated as a nonprofit organization.
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The BSO grew exponentially during the next 20 years and was
designated the orchestra-in-residence for the new Brevard
Performing Arts Center now known as the King Center for the
Performing Arts in 1987.
Maestro Kypros Markou led the very first performances of
the BSO at the King Center and every performance there on
through spring of 1994 when he resigned to accept a position
at Wayne State University in Detroit. After an extensive
search, the BSO announced the appointment of Christopher
Confessore as the new music director and principal conductor
in 1995.
“Confessore is an incredible musician and director,” said BSO
executive director David Schillhammer, who came to BSO after
serving as executive director for the Orlando Philharmonic
Orchestra for 16 years. “His programming acumen is beyond
compare and his artistic leadership is respected and admired
throughout the industry. Audiences relate to him when he’s
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F
THE
BREVARD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Members of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra wear masks except for wind and brass musicians while they are playing and are socially distanced as they perform.
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