History of the West
Valley Symphony Association
On
December 15, 1968 in the Town Hall South auditorium, now called
Mountain View Auditorium, in Sun City, residents gathered for the first
performance of the brand new Sun City Symphony Orchestra.
Nearly
1000 patrons, a capacity crowd, enjoyed the performance under its
founder and conductor, Jennings Butterfield. The performance
consisted of musicians from the Sun City Community, which was then just
eight years old, along with professional musicians from the Luke Air
Force Base band, the Flagstaff Symphony and the Phoenix
Symphony. The 2010-11 Season marked the 42 year
anniversary
of this cultural treasure.
Founder Jennings Butterfield passed away in 1982 and his wife, Lillian,
in 1990. But the legacy they helped to create lives on in the
music we hear today. Maestro Butterfield was succeeded by Dr.
Bernard Goodman for one season, followed by Dr. Eugene P. Lombardi, who
conducted the orchestra from 1983 to 1987. Maestro James
Yestadt
took the baton in 1988 and directed the talents of the professional
musicians from around the Valley and the retired professionals from the
Sun Cities until 2006. Under the direction of Maestro Yestadt, in 2002
the West Valley Symphony received WESTMARC’s “Best
of the
West” award.
Over the years, the orchestra changed its name and performance
locations. First the name was changed to the Sun Cities
Symphony,
to include Sun City West. In 1997 the name was changed to the
Symphony of the West Valley to reflect a growing commitment to serve
the growing Northwest Valley and finally in 2004 to the West Valley
Symphony. The symphony performances moved from the original
location of Town Hall auditorium to the Sundial Auditorium when it
opened in the 1970’s and to the Sundome (Maricopa County
Events
Center) in Sun City West in 1980. In 2005 the Sundome was
temporarily closed and the Symphony held its 2005-06 season classical
performances at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Sun City West.
A sampling of the internationally acclaimed artists who have appeared
with the Symphony includes: pianists Fabio Bidini, Jeffrey
Swann,
Lilya Zilberstein and Jean-Phillipe Collard; violinists Elmar Oliveira,
Corey Cerovsek, Stephanie Chase, Xiang Gao and Eugene Fodor; cellist
Zuill Bailey; classical guitarists The Romeros and Mannuel Barrueco;
flutist Eugenia Zukerman; singers Isola Jones, Julie Newell and Andrea
Matthews. Entertainers such as Steve Allen, The Smothers
Brothers, Bobby Vinton, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Monica Mancini and Lou
Rawls have also appeared with the Symphony.
In February 2006, after several years of declining revenue from ticket
sales and overall contributions, the symphony cancelled the two
remaining Classical concerts of the 2005-06 Season.
The
announcement was met with great sadness on the part of the patrons,
volunteers and musicians that had devoted their energy and talents to
the organization. The Trustees set about trying to keep the
organization’s framework intact with the hope that future
circumstances might make the orchestra’s performances
possible
again.
In December 2007, the Symphony announced a generous bequest from Mr. J.
E. Donald Hastie of Sun City. With this funding, the
Symphony’s trustees began plans to
“re-invent” the
orchestra and begin performing live music again. After a two
year
hiatus, two concerts were performed in February and April
2008.
Because those two concerts, conducted by Maestro Warren Cohen of
Scottsdale, were greeted by such an enthusiastic audience the Board of
Trustees immediately began to plan future seasons.
In November of 2008, the Symphony kicked off a four concert season with
programs conducted by Maestros Cohen and Cal Stewart Kellogg.
Each led the orchestra for two performances that once again were very
well received by local patrons. In April 2009, Maestro
Kellogg
was named Music Director/Conductor of the West Valley
Symphony.
Maestro Kellogg continues to be an audience favorite, thanks to his
personable style and exceptional talent, leading the orchestra in truly
stirring performances.
With the continuing support of individuals and businesses in the
community, the Symphony plans to continue performing well into the
future.
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About Us
Performing at Valley Vista Performing Arts Center in Surprise and the Sundial Auditorium
in Sun City, the West Valley Symphony is the only professional
orchestra based in, and serving, west valley communities. Our mission
is to enrich the lives of west valley residents of all ages, by
providing an opportunity for orchestral music education and presenting
concerts for listening enjoyment.
The
2011-12 concert season features performances of compositions from some
of classical music’s masters. In addition, educational
events will be presented in collaboration with the Rio Salado Lifelong Learning for Seniors (RISE) and Sun City Grand – Grand Learning programs in Surprise. These education events are free and open to the public.
Join us as we embark on our 43rd year of providing exceptional music.
Board of
Trustees
Barbara Lashmet, President
Sun City West
Leslie Fountain, Vice-President/President-Elect
Peoria
Mary Dehn Van Dessel, Treasurer
Sun City West
Carol Sailer, Secretary
Sun City West
Geraldine (Gerry) Benz
Sun City West
Louisa Kellam
Sun City West
Catherine Leas
Sun City
Mona Myhre
Sun City West
Charles (Chuck) Ullman
Sun City West
Ed Williamson
Sun City West
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