Adrian Symphony Orchestra

The mission of Adrian Symphony is to create musical performances of the highest quality and to present activities which educate, enhance and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Lenawee County and Southeast Michigan.

The Adrian Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra drawing its musicians from around Michigan and Ohio. It is a Michigan non-profit corporation which proudly serves as the Professional Orchestra-in-Residence at Adrian College.

Over the past twenty-six seasons, the orchestra has continued to increase the scope and variety of its presentations, which have included classical and pops concerts, chamber music, family discovery series and for ten seasons, fully staged opera. Through this variety and breadth of programming the ASO has maintained its reputation for quality, artistic distinction and innovation. Our educational endeavors have earned the ASO a place as a cultural and educational resource for Southeast Michigan.

In 2001-02 following a year-long international search, the ASO changed leadership on the podium and appointed John Dodson as the third Music Director of the orchestra. He has introduced new programming to the ASO season including an innovative Casual Classics series which explores classical and jazz music in a relaxed setting and Sunday brunch concerts featuring chamber music.

During the early years under the direction of Arthur Shaw, the founding music director, the Adrian Symphony Orchestra presented four to five concerts annually, primarily on the campus of Adrian College. In 1987 the orchestra appointed David Katz as the Adrian Symphony’s music director. Under his direction the ASO grew in the areas of programs, outreach, audience, educational activities and artistic quality. Young Peoples Concerts, pops concerts, a touring chamber music series, lectures, free outdoor concerts, opera and touring opera were all added.

The organization is governed by a community-based volunteer Board of Directors and is a 501 (c) (3) organization. The orchestra is funded through earned revenue tickets sales and program advertising and through unearned revenue in the form of donation, bequests, and grants form area individuals, businesses and foundations