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History of the Rome Symphony Orchestra
Founded 1921
"The Oldest Symphony in the South"
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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 during the years of World War II, but was reorganized in 1944 by Dr. Wilbur 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. Carrruth's direction. Tristan Foison assumed the directorship in August 1995. In December 1998, Foison performed his last concert with the Rome Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Philip Rice of Chattanooga was named Music Director and Conductor of the Rome Symphony Orchestra in 2000, and continued in the position through the 2006-2007 season. The 2007-2008 season utilized guest conductors and in July 2008, Dr. Richard Prior of Emory University was hired as Music Director and Conductor.
In 1982, Business Manager Kate Rodwell and board member Nancy Weers organized the Rome Symphony Women's Association, an auxiliary to the Rome Symphony Board of Directors. This group of dedicated ladies has been an invaluable asset in the support of the orchestra. In 2008, membership was opened to all, men and women, and the name was changed to the Rome Symphony Auxiliary. To date, they have donated over $58,000 to the Rome Symphony Orchestra through their various events.
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Rome Symphony Orchestra, Inc.
Post Office Box 533
Rome, Georgia USA 30162-0533
706.291.7967
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