Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra

Mission Statement:

The Brazos Valley Symphony is a non-profit performing arts organization with the mission to maintain a symphony of high artistic standards, and to promote the musical arts for cultural and education purposes in the Brazos Valley.

History:

The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra was created in 1981 through the merger of two smaller community music organizations: the Brazos Symphony Orchestra, and the Bryan-College Station Chamber Orchestra. This merger additionally created the Brazos Valley Symphony Society, a non-profit organization incorporated in the state of Texas to develop, establish and maintain the symphony as an organization of high artistic standards. Each season, the orchestra performs five classical subscription concerts, two children’s concerts, and a free outdoor performance. The Brazos Valley area is a unique community centered on Texas A&M University and the cities of Bryan and College Station. In recent years, the area has experienced considerable economic and population growth, along with increased cultural offerings and a more sophisticated audience relocating to the area.

The Symphony Society serves as the administrative body for the Orchestra and is governed by an elected Board of Directors. Members of the Society are those patrons and businesses who make particular annual financial contributions to the organization. The Society is an affiliate of the Arts Council of Brazos Valley, a member of the Texas Association of Symphony Orchestras, and of the League of American Orchestras. An auxiliary organization, The Friends Association of the Symphony Orchestra (FASO), was formed in 1984.

The Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra was founded as a community orchestra comprised of volunteer musicians from Bryan-College Station and throughout the Brazos Valley, as well as Texas A&M students, faculty and staff. In September 2005, a two-year plan was initiated to pay all musicians and become a per service orchestra.

After 25 years of operations with a heavily involved working board, a major goal for 2007-2008 was to find a professional administrator for the Orchestra as well as funding to support the position. In September 2007 that goal was fulfilled. Dr. Mary Koeninger currently serves as the Executive Director.