Alabama Symphony
04.17.09
GET TICKETS NOW!For more than 70 years, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra has served Alabama, providing quality performances of varying styles of music and presenting some of the finest guest performers of the day. The outstanding musicians of the ASO have brought to life some of the world’s most treasured musical masterpieces as well as introduced listeners to exciting new works and composers.
The purpose of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is simple – the ASO changes lives through music. The ASO produces symphonic music of the highest quality and provides outstanding outreach and education programs while maintaining its fiscal strength. The heart of this mission is service, and the strength of the mission lies in the ASO’s ability to take an interactive approach to community life and work through its finest art, resulting in:
An orchestra with an outstanding reputation that performs at the highest artistic standard.
An orchestra that enriches the cultural fabric of our community with its classical concerts, its Young People’s Concerts and its Community Outreach Program, and by performing for productions by the Alabama Ballet and Opera Birmingham. An organization that produces more than $16 million of direct and indirect economic impact within our community annually.
An organization whose very existence improves the image of our city and our state.
An organization that improves the quality of life within our community. From musicians who are also local educators, to open rehearsals for school children to free ensembles for hospitals and schools, the ASO actively participates in our community’s growth and well-being.
The community of Birmingham has nurtured its orchestra through the years, rallying especially at times of great challenge, and making it possible for the orchestra to reorganize and resume its mission in September of 1997 after several years of insolvency. This strong community support reflects a deeply rooted history of enjoying ASO performances by persons whose lives were touched by the orchestra as school children attending concerts at Boutwell Auditorium in decades past. Those whose children are just beginning their journey with this orchestra through Young People’s Concerts at the BJCC may also support the orchestra’s ongoing efforts. Those listeners who have discovered the ASO in more recent years and sense the orchestra’s impact on the community are important partners for success. Many realize that the artistic life of a community very often reflects its overall strength and direction. After all, embracing the arts is a great unifier of neighbors, providing a common and uplifting purpose. There’s something for everyone! Regardless of the motive, the people of Birmingham have once again embraced their orchestra and its mission.
The 54 musicians of the ASO represent some of the nation’s finest. In addition to a full rehearsal and concert schedule with the orchestra, many pursue solo opportunities, teach private lessons, and are on the faculties of local universities. Administrative staff includes 18 employees of the Alabama Symphonic Association, working in the areas of education/outreach, marketing and public relations, production, ticketing, development, orchestra management, music library, and finance. Symphony musicians and employees are active in outreach activities with the orchestra as well as throughout the community.