Formed in 1919, it thrived under the leadership of Clayton Hotchkiss, Music Director of the Stamford Public Schools, until after WWII, when many artists returned to their homelands.
The Orchestra was reborn in 1967, and has since grown to become an integral part of the cultural life in Fairfield County. Skitch Henderson’s appointment as Music Director in 1974 marked the turning point when the Orchestra became a fully professional organization.
In 1980, Roger Nierenberg was named Music Director. He spent the next 24 years recruiting top musicians from the New York metro area and crafting a balanced ensemble of remarkable versatility. Maestro Nierenberg expanded the Orchestra Classics Series and created new music and education programs, developing the Orchestra as a valuable classical music resource for Stamford and its surrounding communities.
Eckart Preu was chosen as the Stamford Symphony’s new Music Director in October 2005, following an international search that attracted more than 250 applicants. Maestro Preu has remained faithful to the Orchestra’s tradition of musicianship and professionalism, while taking a fresh, fun approach to programming and performance that appeals to both inveterate concertgoers and newcomers to classical music. His programs have been described as Serious Fun and he invites you to become a part of our audience.