RIVER CITIES SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The River Cities Symphony Orchestra (RCSO) was founded in May 1997, to continue the tradition of orchestral performances in the Mid-Ohio Valley including Wood County, West Virginia and Washington County, Ohio. This tradition began with the Marietta Chamber Orchestra led by Mr. Bill Duerr. After this organization was dissolved, musicians and members of the board founded a new orchestra to continue this legacy. From its inception, the RCSO has provided an exceptional level of orchestral music by featuring professional musicians from the Mid-Ohio Valley, West Virginia, Southeastern Ohio, and internationally acclaimed soloists. The RCSO was incorporated on August 14, 1997 and presented its first concert at Blennerhassett School Auditorium with Gayle Walker of Marietta College as its first conductor on November 23, 1997.
During its first three seasons, the Orchestra was in search of a permanent director, and beginning with the 2000-2001 season, Mr. Robert Turizziani assumed this role and continues to serve as its director. To date, the Orchestra regularly consists of forty to sixty musicians, and it has performed over eighty concerts in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Typically, the Orchestra presents three concerts to the public each year and two educational programs to school-age children. Various chamber ensembles from the Orchestra also perform for special events in the communities we serve.
The River Cities Symphony Orchestra strives to create a “musical bridge” between communities on both sides of the Ohio River by presenting symphonic and chamber concerts featuring professional musicians, music educators, and regional musicians. One of its major goals is the promotion of music education, especially within string programs for our Adventures in Music Education Program in elementary and middle schools.
The mission of the River Cities Symphony Orchestra is to foster and maintain an organization dedicated to the making of music consistent with the highest aspirations of musical art, creating performances and providing educational programs of the highest quality, thereby offering an exciting symphonic musical experience for everyone in the community.