History of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra

One of Ridgefield's cultural treasures, the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (RSO) performed its debut concert on April 4, 1965 and became a fully professional ensemble in 1968. Since then, the orchestra has continuously grown in size and in the quality of its performances and attracts appreciative audiences from as far as 50-100 miles away. Performances at Richardson Auditorium feature an orchestra with 70-90 musicians, depending on the music that has been programmed. Concerts at the Ridgefield Playhouse use a chamber-sized orchestra of 20 to 30 musicians. The musicians come to Ridgefield from more than 30 different communities and are well respected orchestra players throughout the greater New York and New England area.

In the summer of 2007, the Orchestra was invited to present four classical concerts at Lasdon Park in Somers, New York. The response was very favorable and the RSO was invited back for four more summer concerts in 2008. One of the four 2008 concerts was repeated on the Danbury Green in an evening sponsored by City Center Danbury. For the last few years with the exception of last season, the Orchestra has also performed in New Canaan in a benefit concert for AmeriCares Free Clinics.

The RSO has engaged a number of Music Directors during its history. Beatrice Brown led the Orchestra for 25 years. In 1996, Maestro Sidney Rothstein joined the RSO as Music Director. Opening night on October 4, 2008 featured Gerald Steichen, as the new Music Director. Maestro Steichen was one of the four fabulous candidates who auditioned for the position as Music Director in the 2007-08 season. Steichen was the unanimous choice of the musicians, the audience and the search committee. He has completed his first very successful season with the RSO and looks forward to the 2009-10 season.

The RSO took a major step forward in August of 2007 when Sarah Miller was hired as the first Executive Director and she continued in that position until the end of the 2008-09 season. Beginning September 1, 2009, Gina Wilson will assume the position of Executive Director.

The Board of Directors revised and updated their by-laws of August of 2008 and with that revision moved from an operating to a governance board. They are now involved in the policy-making and strategic planning required to continue the growth of the RSO for future generations.