Livermore-Amador Symphony History Profile
In 1963, women from the Livermore-Pleasanton branch of the American Association of University Women identified the need for an amateur orchestra in the valley. Members gathered information to accomplish their goal: a community orchestra with professional leadership. Rehearsals began with Keith Polk conducting, a PHD candidate in musicology at UC Berkeley. The fledgling Livermore Symphony, presented its first concert on January 25, 1964. Within a few months, Mr. Polk completed his doctorate and accepted a position with the University of New Hampshire.
The Board of Directors held interviews and selected a new conductor, Arthur Barnes, a doctoral candidate in musical arts and conducting from Stanford University. While fostering the growth and development of the orchestra Arthur Barnes based his doctoral thesis on the work of the symphony. Now retired from Stanford University, Dr. Barnes continues to conduct, arrange, and compose since his acceptance of the position in 1964.
The Livermore Symphony Association incorporated in 1966, authorizing the contracting of a professional concertmaster and as needed the hiring of extra players. In 1971, the official name of the orchestra became the Livermore-Amador Symphony.
Today, approximately sixty, mainly volunteer musicians, comprise the orchestra, ranging in age from teens to ninety year olds, six of whom played in the first season. The concert season spans October through May. Beginning the season with the pops concert sponsored by the Livermore-Amador Symphony Guild in October, regular concerts follow each December, February, March and May. In 1979, the transformation of the Barn into a musical hall by the Guild was such a success that the event became an often sold out two-night function each October. The Guild, the highly dedicated support group and fund-raising branch of the symphony, additionally holds estate sales as wells as receptions for the symphony.
The Symphony continues to collaborate with many musical groups as well as reach out to youth. Each December for the Nutcracker Ballet and often in May, the orchestra provides both pit players and a conductor for Valley Dance Theatre productions. The symphony and association have provided free family and school concerts, membership in the orchestra, competitions, awards, and scholarships. Having a very high standard, The Competition for Young Musicians began in the 1973-74 season giving the opportunity for the winning soloists to perform with the symphony each February.
Due to the dedication, hard work, and cooperative spirit of the conductor, the musicians, the board of directors, and very supportive guild members the Livermore-Amador Symphony weaves an integral thread through the cultural life of the community. As stated in the booklet, The First Twenty Years (1963-1983), and remaining true today,
“The success of the orchestra is truly the work of many hands, both on stage and behind the scenes. The symphony looks forward to the future and the continuing opportunity to welcome listeners to the wonderful world of music.”