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| Edith Lester Harbin, RSO Founder |
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History of the
Rome Symphony Orchestra
Founded 1921
"The Oldest Symphony in the South"
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| Helen Dean Rhodes, Conductor 1944-1972 |
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Edith Lester Harbin, RSO Founder
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Helen Dean Rhodes, Conductor 1944-1972
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Edith Lester Harbin, founder of the Rome Music Lovers Club and the Junior Music Club, created the first Junior Orchestra in Georgia in 1919. In 1921, some of her students combined with Paul Nixon's Symphonic Band to form the Rome Symphony Orchestra, the first symphony in the South. The RSO performed its inaugural concert under Mr. Nixon’s direction on May 11, 1922 with a program of Strauss Waltzes, the Overture to Weber’s “Der Freischutz”, and other selections.
The orchestra disbanded in the late thirties and did not perform during the years of World War II; however, it was reorganized in 1944 by Dr. Wilber Rowand, Jack Kranyik, and Helen Dean Rhodes. Miss Rhodes continued to conduct entertaining concerts for the next 28 years.
In 1976, the baton was passed to John Carruth, who led the orchestra until his retirement in 1995. The orchestra experienced tremendous growth under Mr. Carruth’s direction. A new chapter of musical experience began under the leadership of Tristan Foison, who became Music Director in August, 1995. In October 2000, Philip Rice was selected and served as Conductor and Music Director through 2007. The 2007-2008 season utilized guest conductors as a search was begun for a new conductor. In July 2008, Dr. Richard Prior was named the new Music Director and Conductor. Dr. Prior serves as Director of Orchestral Studies at Emory University, where he conducts the Emory Symphony Orchestra and Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra. His debut concert with the RSO was October 4, 2008.
In 1982, Business Manager Kate Rodwell and board member Nancy Weers organized the Rome Symphony Women’ s Association, an auxiliary to the Rome Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. This group of dedicated ladies has been an invaluable asset in the support of the orchestra and chorus. In 2008, the name was changed to the Rome Symphony Auxiliary and today includes men and women interested in supporting the Orchestra.
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EDITH LESTER HARBIN
Edith Lester Harbin was a member of the class of 1894 at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia. After graduating, she went on to the Conservatory of Music where she earned her teaching certificate and studied in Germany for three years.
After returning and teaching music in Rome of 55 years, she received the "First Citizen" award for teaching music to children.
Harbin also formed the Rome Music Lovers Club in 1904; she created the first junior orchestra in Georgia, and in 1921 joined her Junior Orchestra with Paul Nixon's Lindale Band to form the Rome Symphony Orchestra.
Shorter University's department of music is named in her honor.
| HELEN DEAN RHODES
Helen Dean Rhodes was born on October 29, 1896 in Rome, Georgia. She began playing the violin from an early age. She studied music at the Atlanta Conservatory of Music, Brenau College, Shorter College and Columbia University.
She was active in solo and chamber music circles and in New York radio musical programs, and managed the Orchestra Classique, one of the two all-women orchestras in the country.
The Rome Symphony Orchestra disbanded for a period in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It was reorganized in 1946, after World War II. Helen Dean Rhodes returned to Rome to conduct the RSO and the first concert she conducted was held on January 19, 1948 at the Rome Girls High School (Heritage Hall).
She conducted for the next 28 years (1928-1976). She also served as Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church for 25 years. Helen Dean Rhodes died in September of 1976.
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