2020/21
A Season Nostalgic and New!
Music Director & Conductor
Welcome to a music season unlike any other in LSO history. Although it is different, it is truly a wonderful opportunity. Within this season, please join me for a weekly hour-long radio show running September 29 through December 15 (first series) and March 18 through May 6 (second series) [more details in link below] with music and commentary that will delve deep into the nuances of an array of orchestral music. In addition to these radio broadcasts, each week (September through Christmas 2020) a new video interview will be uploaded to the LSO YouTube channel. These are casual conversations between myself and members of the LSO community including musicians, staff and patrons. How interesting it is to learn about some extraordinary things our musical family members do in their lives!
Programming continues into the summer of 2021 with recording gifts, for our community. Through creative and safe collaboration, we are recording socially-distanced live music to share on our YouTube channel. The LSO musicians, along with myself have held closed recording sessions at First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, with technology by Lake Audio & Video. Stay tuned throughout the summer and watch for announcements about this great video content.
Everything is Free, so help spread the word to “Tune-In” to the LaGrange Symphony’s 2020/2021 musical programming via WELR 102.3 FM radio and YouTube videos!
2021 Auditions Announced. Click to read details about these August Auditions.
LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc. was awarded a grant by Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, as part of its initial disbursement of grants for fiscal year 2022. A total of 218 organizations were awarded 266 grants that provide more than $2 million in funding to arts organizations throughout the state…
Announcing two job postings with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra! Please check out the links below for more information about each position. 1. LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s…
This is the finale episode in our spring radio series, The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior. Three legendary composers, Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart…
Tune in April 29th, 2021 at 8:00 PM for an hour-long, all-Gershwin broadcast. This young composer/pianist penned many much-loved works even though he only lived into his thirties. Some of Gershwin’s compositions are slated to be performed by the LSO in the future. We are looking forward to that! This radio show will focus on two other works, Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major, and American in Paris…
April 15th’s focus is on Antonin Dvorak and his Symphony No. 8 in G Major and Carnival Overture. Two great works to be broadcast on the Joy of the Orchestra Radio Show.
Tune-in Thursday, April 8th, 8:00 PM on WELR Eagle 102.3 FM for a special Easter season broadcast of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, on the radio show, “The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior.” A requiem is intended to be a musical gathering or service performed as a remembrance or memorial. It’s meant to soothe the living soul with quiet beauty, ask for eternal rest for the deceased, and bring about personal renewal…
Join Maestro Richard Prior as he listens and gives insight into this wonderful past-performance during the LSO Radio show, The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior. Tune-in on Thursday, April 1st, 8:00 PM on WELR Eagle 102.3 FM. This week’s…
An All-Beethoven radio show episode, from the LaGrange Symphony, airs this Thursday March 25th, 2021 at 8:00 PM. This will be the second in the new spring series of The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior. The “theme of spring” continues with music that audibly paints nature scenes with pastoral beauty. This program concentrates on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 – The Pastoral. A genius composer an…
Spring is in the air! We are excited to offer this new series and share The Joy of the Orchestra with you once again. This new series will run from March 18th thru May 6th. Accessing the radio
Beginning March 18th, the show entitled The Joy of the Orchestra will air on Thursdays from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM on WELR (Eagle 102.3 FM). Spring is in the air! We are excited to offer this new series and share The Joy of the Orchestra with you once again…
The Board of Directors of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra has announced the winners of the 25th annual Young Artists Competition, held during the month of…
The LSO radio show, The Joy of the Orchestra, will return mid-March 2021. This hour-long radio program is hosted by Maestro Richard Prior and features various works by the LaGrange Symphony and other notable orchestras. The Fall series brought us many great works from Copeland, Bernstein, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Holst and many others. The Spring series is totally new and will be …
It’s Christmas time and we are celebrating on the LSO radio show, The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior, in a…
We are focusing on two great American composers this week within our hour-long radio show, The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard…
It was September 27th, 2016 when Dr. Jonathan Keeble graced the Callaway Auditorium stage. It was the season opening concert that was simply and appropriately…
Another episode in our series entitled Off the Podium, is ready to view! Jonathan Wright is this week’s guest. He is the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s…
The fourth episode in our series entitled Off the Podium, has been uploaded! It features Mark Dulin who plays trumpet with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. …
The radio station, WELR, will re-air the Planets episode! The Joy of the Orchestra with the LaGrange Symphony’s Richard Prior, hour-long radio show produced this…
This week’s podcast has been published! It marks the third episode in our series entitled Off the Podium, and it features Chandler Stuart. Chandler is…
These photos were taken last week as the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra (LSYO) found a way to practice together while still social distancing. This year…
The first episode in a series of LaGrange Symphony Orchestra hour-long radio broadcasts airs Tuesday, September 29th at 7:30 PM sharp! Tune-in to WELR (Eagle…
Good news is always welcome, and the LaGrange Symphony Brochures brought it this week. A solid plan of programming was announced for this autumn season…
Watch for the FIRST episode slated for upload the week of September 29th, 2020. NEW this season, are video-cast conversations between Maestro Richard Prior and…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with us…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with us…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with us…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with us…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
We are very proud of these graduates. Congratulations!
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
DEAR PATRONS AND SUPPORTERS, The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra is committed to the health and safety of our patrons, musicians, staff, and our community at large….
WHO: The downtown arts organizations and museums (LaFayette Society for Performing Arts, LaGrange Art Museum, LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, and Legacy Museum on Main) are partnering with a downtown food…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
CONNECTING FROM HOME QUICKLINK to LSYO PAGE HERE to view all videos Here is a new video from an LSYO student. Stay in contact with…
Sounds of Storytelling, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s March 24th concert, is packed with excitement! Beginning with Red Rhythmico by Mosier, and Summer Dances by Balmages,…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that two of our musicians will be performing in an upcoming recital on February 25th. As part…
Arturo Marquez is a Mexican composer known for the wonderful use of Latin styling in his music. Danzon No. 2, is one of the featured…
The evocative Argentine tango, composed by Astor Piazzolla, Oblivion will be performed by the LSO, along with other wonderfully compelling sounds of dance, at the…
The Youth Quintet has entered LaGrange has Talent! Everyone can watch the video and vote at https://lagrangehastalent.com It is $1 to vote, and you can…
The LSO’s season opening concert “Sounds of Drama” was dramatic, entertaining, and musically excellent. The full program included an anniversary treat, special to this concert. …
As the new anniversary season opens, the pre-season offer of “season ticket-sets,” will end! You have until Tuesday to take advantage of the significant savings…
“Season tickets” are actually a full “set” of tickets spanning the entire LaGrange Symphony Orchestra concert season. For one special price you get tickets for…
The LSYO is entered in the Summer Showcase on Thursday, July 18 at the LaGrange mall. The showcase is from 2:00PM – 5:00PM with our students…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will present Gustav Holst’s The PLANETS on Tuesday, April 23, 7:30 PM in Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange, GA. This will be the…
Under the watchful eye of LSYO director, Celeste Myall, students performed with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Richard Prior. Read the full review…
Only the term “Mozart” is needed to identify this great composer/musician/conductor, but you know exactly who we are talking about. Some call him Wolfgang Amadeus…
An Evening of MOZART. The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will be in concert Tuesday, March 19th, 2019 at 7:30 PM in Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange GA. This full…
The Choral Society of West Georgia and the Lafayette Christian School Chorus will appear as guest artists December 11th, 2018 with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. …
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will present a special Holiday Concert on December 11th in Callaway Auditorium at 7:30 PM. (LaGrange, GA) This year, with special guests,…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will perform Florence Price’s Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Tuesday October 30th at 7:30 in Callaway Auditorium in LaGrange, GA. …
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Women in Music concert, to be held October 30th in LaGrange, is generating a lot of talk. This concert celebrates the…
Tuesday’s 2018/19 season opening concert for the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra features Alexandra Shatalov Prior, LSO oboe principal. She will perform the Mozart Oboe Concerto. This…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will celebrate Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday Tuesday September 25th, 2018 in their season opening concert. This musical event, appropriately named The…
Signing a brand new five year contract as LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director & Conductor, Dr. Richard Prior is shown with Gail Daniel Browne, LSO…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra is proud to welcome guest artist Richard Cho to the stage April 24th, 2018. Richard is the first place winner of…
LSYO-side-by-side Read the full review from the “Embrace LIFE” concert HERE. The LSO is very proud of our Youth Orchestra and is honored to be…
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra is proud to announce the vocal soloists for their March 20th concert performance. The Embrace LIFE concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on…
Strings Attached Performs! To open the morning session of the Azalea Storytelling Festival on Saturday, our own “Strings Attached” youth performed. We are so proud…
It’s beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Christmas Special with Jason Coleman, Meagan Taylor and the Young Singers of West Georgia…
Yannie Tan, national winner of the Emory Piano Competition is guest artist at November 7th LSO Concert, Embrace the Classics. Hear this and other wonderful…
What a season this will be! We are happy to announce this full concert line-up for the 2017/18 season. “A symphony is like the world:…
EARTH CONCERT, BALANCED AND NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s 2016/17 season was topped off with a fantastic grand finale concert entitled EARTH, last Tuesday. This…
LSO “WATER” CONCERT – ADVENTUROUS Flowing through Callaway auditorium Tuesday March 21st, 2017 was the fourth concert in the Elemental Forces series entitled WATER. This concert…
During next week’s WATER concert, on Tuesday March 21st at 7:30PM, the LSO will incorporate into their program, Hoddinot: Investiture Dances, a side-by-side piece with…
On February 7, the LSO Guild held its annual luncheon at Bellevue in LaGrange, GA. It was a wonderful affair, complete with musical entertainment. Callie…
More than 2,100 grade school students recently enjoyed a live musical experience provided last week by the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra during its annual Children’s Concerts….
A fun event for Fifth-graders in Troup County happened Tuesday January 24, 2017. The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra sponsored a special musical appreciation session and invited all fifth…
Dr. Richard Prior’s orchestral composition A Canticle of Shadows is slated to premiere at Emory University, Emerson Concert Hall, tomorrow night January 20th at 8PM. It will…
LSO “LIGHT” CONCERT – BRILLIANT, DIVERSE, AND JOYFUL “My Favorite Concert yet” “Loved it!” “Terrific” It was a dark and rainy night in LaGrange, Georgia…
A HOT NOVEMBER NIGHT FOR LSO FIRE CONCERT! Presented with fond memories, and in celebration of the life of BOB CULBRETH, who has been a longtime member of…
Along with a performance of great symphonic works from Elgar, Tchaikovsky and Bernstein, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra will be joined by guest actors from…
AIR – LAGRANGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “perfectly beautiful” A considerable audience gathered for the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra 2016/17 Season opening concert entitled “AIR”. The first in…
Naming of the Dr. Werner A. Linz Emeritus Award. The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors honored long-time board member Dr. Werner Linz August 9,…
This will be a year to remember! Season opener WORLD PREMIERE! As the new President of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, I invite you to join…
Read all about it! The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra 2016/17 season brochure for ELEMENTAL FORCES has been released. You may read it online or download and print, whichever is…
You’re in for a really sweet treat if you are going to the My Favorite Things Luncheon on Tuesday September 20th, 2016 in LaGrange, GA. Each…
That’s right! The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra has been chosen to perform the World Premiere of Concerto for Flute and Orchestra. This is an original work…
“A truly Grand Finale!” The LSO April concert, PASSION & POWER, was appropriately named. Performed with intense feeling and strength, this concert was indeed a GRAND…
THE MARCH CONCERT, VARIATIONS, DEDICATED TO DEVOTED COMMUNITY MEMBER AND AVID LSO SUPPORTER, IS CAPTIVATING AND IMPRESSIVE! [Read more about this concert’s dedication to Major General Donald…
The weather was incredibly cold outside. Everyone was bundled up in massive winter coats, but January 23rd was warm and toasty inside Callaway Auditorium. The PoPs…
FULL HOUSE, FULL STAGE, FULL HEARTS, FULL EVENING December 15, 2015 marked the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Celebration with Holiday Presence. Performed in front of a sold-out…
Legends of Fire was not for the faint of heart! “Expressive & Exciting” “Thrilling Dynamics!” These were a few comments made after the LSO’s November performance, which is the…
Jessica Wu is shown as she received a well deserved standing ovation at the LSO October concert. “A terrific way to open the season! –…
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
It is hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since our world abruptly changed. We are grateful to our many donors who have helped support us during this unusual year. Your encouragement and financial support have allowed us to pivot and continue to operate under our guiding principles. Together, we are able to offer alternative musical options and prepare our organization to emerge from this pandemic era financially sound and positioned to thrive in our “new normal.” Like many of you, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra is still trying to define what that “new normal” might look like, but we remain focused on our mission “to enrich our community through music.”
Although we have not yet resumed live concerts, the work of the LSO continues. Throughout twelve weeks this past fall, Maestro Richard Prior hosted The Joy of the Orchestra, an hour-long weekly radio show on WELR (Eagle 102.3 FM). This on-air time allowed us to share beautiful music from LSO concerts and concerts from other notable orchestras around the world. The maestro accompanied this music with interesting commentary to broaden our understanding and learn the stories behind the music.
Our office has received so many positive comments about this radio endeavor from current patrons and from people who do not normally listen to orchestra music. Many have discovered us for the very first time through this radio show. We are happy to announce that The Joy of the Orchestra will continue in 2021 for an eight-week spring season! Beginning March 18th, the weekly show will broadcast each Thursday evening from 8:00 – 9:00 PM, on WELR (102.3 FM).
Also in the fall of 2020, Maestro Prior conducted a weekly podcast, entitled Off the Podium, where he interviewed LSO musicians as well as former guest artists and friends of the symphony. These frank conversations gave insight into the lives and interests of the people who make the LaGrange Symphony so special. If you missed these conversations, you can still watch them on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMAsTmNjbz3KpblUZWszdw or through links on the News page of this website.
Our Youth Orchestra, youth String Ensemble, and private and group lessons have continued through this year. Students have worn masks, practiced outside, sat in rooms together no closer than six feet, and created video-recordings to share with patrons, families, and friends. These students have been amazing through an incredibly difficult year. It warms my heart to see that music is still playing an important role in their lives while so many things have either been put on-hold or cancelled. I think we can all agree that music is a significantly positive developmental influence.
Our musicians miss performing and we are currently working on different ways to bring back some level of live classical music to the community as we approach spring and summer. We all look forward to the day when we can safely gather again in our concert hall to celebrate and experience the joy of watching an orchestra bring music to life in front of our very eyes.
Thanks for sticking with us and keeping an open mind during this challenging time. Stay tuned – there is more to come!