The Asheville Symphony Orchestra, NC., performs and promotes symphonic music for the benefit, enjoyment and education of the people of Western North Carolina. The Asheville Symphony was established in 1960. At that time, all musicians performed on a volunteer basis and the Symphony was without a resident conductor or manager.
Currently, the Asheville Symphony operates on a budget of approximately $1.2 million, employing an 80-100 member orchestra paid on a per-service basis and presents concerts featuring internationally renowned as well as local guest artists. Funding for the Symphony now is drawn from a wide variety of sources, most notability the North Carolina Arts Council, individualcontributions, advertising, Guild fundraising projects, and local government, with about 40% of the budget provided by ticket revenue.
The Symphony presents seven full orchestra concerts per year in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville’s US Cellular Center. Each concert features a performance by a guest artist. The Symphony’s programming reflects a desire to present both the “old favorites” as well as more recent works. In addition to the regular subscription series, the orchestra presents a Classical Christmas.
Programs include: Asheville Symphony Chorus, Asheville Symphony Children’s Chorus, Asheville Buncombe Youth Orchestra, Asheville Symphony concert lectures, Music Education in the Schools, and pre-concert lectures.
