Happy Birthday, ASO!

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra (ASO) under the direction of Alex Spainhour will celebrate its 35th season with a performance titled Happy Birthday, ASO! on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 3pm in the Rainey Fine Arts Center at Anderson University. Presented by GAMAC, the concert will pay tribute to ensemble founders Dr. Joe Beard, Dr. Thomas Collins, Mr. Oren O. Jones and Mr. William Prevost with a reprise of the ASO’s program from its premiere performance in 1976.

Highlights of the afternoon will include works by Rodgers & Hammerstein, Sibelius and Camille Saint Saens as well as Johnny Mann’s Anderson University Alma Mater performed in honor of the university’s 100th birthday and in appreciation of the institution’s loyal support of the ensemble. ASO co-founder and former conductor, Dr. E. Perry Carroll will return to the podium to conduct Haydn’s Symphony No. 85 in B-Flat and Mendelssohn’s Fingle’s Cave Overture.

Founded in 1975 with roots dating back to the late 1940’s, the modern ASO is a civic orchestra comprised of community avocational instrumentalists, Anderson University students and talented high school students. The ensemble was first formed in 1949 under the direction of Everette McDowell. Comprised of 39 musicians at that time, the ensemble performed at Boys High School Auditorium for six seasons through 1954. In the autumn of 1975, a group of local musicians expressed interest in re-forming the community ensemble to Alex Spainhour and E. Perry Carroll. Anderson College soon became an important partner in the development of the ensemble by offering course credit for students to participate, a tradition that continues today at Anderson University. With enthusiastic encouragement and financial support from Dr. Beard, Dr.Collins, Mr. Jones and Mr.Prevost, the ASO began to take root in the Anderson community. Today the ASO has 73 members performing a series of 3 concerts annually.

Tickets to Happy Birthday, ASO! are priced at $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for students. Please call the GAMAC office at (864) 231-6147 for tickets. This performance is made possible with generous support from the Family of Oren O. Jones, Piedmont Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Piedmont Honda and Piedmont Nissan.