Classical Music
Charlotte Symphony
North Carolina is home to exceptional regional and city symphonies, chamber groups and ensembles, including some of the country's oldest as well as newest. The North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh is the oldest state-supported symphony orchestra in the nation and the Charlotte Symphony has celebrated more than 75 seasons. Another enduring musical institution is the Winston-Salem Symphony, now in its sixth decade. The Asheville Symphony originated in 1958 and today presents seven full concerts each year in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Asheville Civic Center.
The Greensboro Symphony Orchestra produces multi-media concerts featuring popular music from the 1950s, the 1960s and 1970s. Founded in 1972, the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra is now a professional orchestra performing a repertoire that includes early classical works to recent popular selections. The Mallarme Chamber Players in Durham regularly commissions new works by American composers. Two long-established venues offer comprehensive training for gifted high school, college and pre-professional musicians as well as popular public performances during the summer months: the Brevard Music Festival, which has operated for more than 60 years and the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, established more than 40 years ago.
North Carolina's community orchestras are delightful opportunities for professional and amateur musicians to share quality musical performances with their neighbors. The Durham Symphony, founded in 1976, serves the Triangle as an all-volunteer community orchestra offering free concerts. The Raleigh Symphony Orchestra has brought professional musicians and the community together since 1979 and is noted for its inclusive and innovative programming, community outreach and high artistic standards. Local amateur and professional instrumentalists, along with University of North Carolina-Wilmington faculty and students, make up the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, which offers five classical performances and a free family concert each year.
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