Things To Do > History Of The Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra

Come see the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra! The orchestra was started in 1973 and was led by Sheldon Binns and William Shank. It was first called the Adirondack Concert Orchestra and was later changed to Adirondack Philharmonic. At this time, the group would perform at Adirondack Community College, and students were allowed to receive academic credit if they participated.

Later in 1982, the group took visionary steps and was incorporated as a non-profit cultural organization and decided to take the name Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. In 1984, Hugh Allen Wilson a legendary local keyboard, college professor and church musician began 14 year tenure as music director.

Currently, this professional orchestra has 54 performing members with its conductor Charles Peltz who was hired in 2000 after a nation-wide search.

The mission of the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra is to provide a musical experience that is professional, educational, and entertaining through live performance and community outreach. 

Recent Symphony Orchestra Highlights:

• Gave the world premiere Made in America on October 2, 2005, a musical event of national significance
• Joined 64 other orchestras, with at least one in every state, in presenting this new orchestral work by Grawemeyer Prize winning composer Joan Tower.
• Appearances by pianist Jeffrey Biegle playing Lowell Liebermann's Piano Concerto No. 3
• Composer, musician, and educator Gunther Schuller conducting his piece Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee

• American Red Cross
  Read about The Adirondack Saratoga chapter of the American Red Cross, a nonprofit humanitarian organization providing premier emergency response to people all over the world since 1881...

• Have A Seat in Glens Falls
  Funky, elegant, colorful, contemporary, whimsical, historic or glamorous describe the array of Adirondack artist-created chairs placed throughout downtown Glens Falls. Stroll & enjoy the "Have a Seat in Glens Falls" outdoor art project.
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• Classic Car Cruise In West Mountain Ski Area Courtyard
  Grilled hot dogs, burgers and more. Check out the cars in the courtyard every Wednesday and Saturday evening.
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• Chicken Parm dinner
  Chicken Parm dinner with salad bar and rolls and butter every Thursday night.
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• Seafood Buffet @ The West Side Grille
  All-you-can-eat seafood buffet with non-seafood items also. Salad bar included! Every Friday night.
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• Bare Bones Project @ Davidson Brothers
  Come see Bare Bones Project perform live at the Davidson Brothers.
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