About

The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 1935, sponsored by the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce. It was conducted by Kenneth G. Kelley, Supervisor of Music in the Schenectady public schools. The concertmaster was Anthony Stefan, who later became its conductor. In a pioneering broadcast on May 7, the second concert was beamed to South America on General Electric stations W2XAF and W2XAD, making it one of the first American orchestras to be heard overseas via short-wave radio.

The personnel of the orchestra, then as now, is drawn from the local community, and is comprised of both paid professional and non-paid amateur musicians, such as teachers, engineers, physicians, and local business people. Among our outstanding alumni are Kenneth Schermerhorn, conductor, and Simon Ramo (the “R” in the TRW Company name), engineer. Congratulatory letters from Schermerhorn and Ramo were featured in the 50th Anniversary program issued in the 1984-85 season.

Percy Grainger, pianist and composer, appeared as guest soloist and conductor on April 27, 1937. The Schenectady Choral Society conducted by Rufus Wheeler also participated in the concert. In 1943, Anthony Stefan became the permanent conductor, and the concert site was shifted from the Mount Pleasant High School auditorium to the Erie Theater. In its gala 10th season pianist, Claude Frank and violinist Joseph Szigeti were featured soloists with the orchestra. In the following years, many nationally known soloists played with the SSSO: violinists Albert Spaulding, Micha Elman, Berl Senofsky, Misacha Mischakoff, with two appearances each by Ruggiero Ricci and Joseph Szigeti; and pianists Mme. Amparo Iturbi, Alec Templeton, and Leon Bates, with two appearances by Percy Grainger.

Many local musicians have soloed with the SSSO, including pianists Juana Fromageot, Stanley Hummel, Pola Baytelman, Findlay Cockrell, and violinists Marianne Pashler, Earl Hummel, George Green, and Michael Emery. Numerous local vocal groups have appeared with the SSSO, including the Octavos, Schenectady Choral Society, Mohawk Valley Singers, and choruses from Union College, Skidmore College, SUNY at Albany, and Oneonta, as well as high school choruses. Also, the Schenectady Civic Ballet Company and the Orlando School of Dance have been guests. Recently, many outstanding high school pianists and violinists have had the opportunity to solo with the SSSO.

In 1956, the League of the Schenectady Symphony was formed and has become a major contributor to the financial stability of the orchestra. The League sponsors an annual children’s concert and holds musical previews prior to all concerts. Beginning in 1964, they have sponsored the Anthony R. Stefan Scholarship Award competition for high school musicians. Recently, the addition of a mentoring concert gives high school players the opportunity to join regular SSSO musicians in a concert. In 1995, the Louise DeFeo Parillo Piano Competition was established for pianists from age thirteen through high school.

In 1964, Anthony Pezzano became the conductor of the SSSO and in 1983, in its 50th season, Charles Schneider was appointed conductor. Michael Emery has been concertmaster since 1980 and has appeared often as a guest soloist with the SSSO.

Since 1979, the SSSO has performed most of its concerts in the historic Proctors in downtown Schenectady. Recently the SSSO has been named the resident symphony of Proctors. In past years, the SSSO has given outdoor concerts at Union College and in Schenectady’s Central Park. The concert season consists of four concerts a year, plus a children’s concert, and most recently, a mentoring concert.

The SSSO has become a valuable and treasured musical asset in the Capital District of New York State.