LaGrange Symphony Orchestra: Historic Synopsis
LaGrange Symphony Orchestra was born as an idea of Harry Kruger, Director Emeritus of Columbus Symphony. He and Dr. David Naglee, cellist and LaGrange College professor, assured success by enlisting the help of Dr. Walter Y. Murphy, LaGrange College President. An advisory board was created in 1989, led by Janice West Ingram. LaGrange College-Community Orchestra gave its first concert on January 14, 1990, at Price Theatre, with 72 musicians. The other two performances of the inaugural season were at Berta Weathersbee Auditorium. The name became LaGrange Symphony Orchestra before the third concert. The second season opened in October 1990, again at Price Theatre.
The Creation of LaGrange Symphony Guild in April 1991 expanded community support and led to an annual Pops Concert, held for many years. Cultural influence soon extended beyond stellar orchestral performances.
In 1992, LSO began two days of free annual Children’s Concerts for students in Georgia and Alabama. In 1995, Music in Schools began bringing performing artists into schools. The Young Artists Competition, a regional venue, began in 1996, and in 2000, Arco Awards recognized stringed instrumentalists in local schools.
In 2001, Dr. Kruger retired, succeeded as Music Director and Conductor by internationally renowned Dr. Patricio Cobos, under whose baton performance levels and professional reputation, as well as educational outreach, continually increased.
SCALA competition, open to area students, was created in 2003, ending in 2014. In 2007, LSO became parent organization of LaFayette (now LaGrange) Youth Orchestra, under Conductor Callie Knight Hammond, succeeded by Lee Johnson from 2008-2012. Hammond developed and conducted LaGrange Youth String Ensemble in 2008, ages 7-15, conducting it, and Piccolo String Ensemble, ages 5-10. A summer program, Ovation Music Camp, held at LaGrange College, was established. Sam Lee became the conductor of the Youth String Ensemble in 2020.
LaGrange College named the LSO their Orchestra in Residence in 2007, giving the symphony a permanent home: Callaway Auditorium, whose multi-million-dollar renovation was co-funded by Callaway Foundation, Inc. First Baptist Church served as the concert hall during renovations. In 2010, ties to the college increased with the creation of LaGrange Symphony Chorus, Professor Debbie Ogle, conductor. This group no longer exists.
The Symphony Board’s mounting responsibilities called for administrative staff, culminating in a full-time Executive Director. The first was Dave Marler, 2011. Mr. Marler resigned in late 2014 and was succeeded by former business executive Raylene Morris Carter. Dr. Cobos retired in early 2015 to return to his native Chili. He was succeeded by award winning conductor and acclaimed composer, Dr. Richard Prior.
Celeste Myall became Youth String Ensemble director and the Youth Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor in 2012. In 2013, she accepted the added position of Director of Educational Outreach to bring all educational initiatives into focus, including the new Strings Project to offer private instruction in stringed instruments. In 2015, the LSO added Strings Attached, a co-hort program serving area elementary schools in an after-school environment. Ms. Myall, with the support of the LSO Board Youth & Education committee members, led the LSO’s successful effort to have string music reinstated in the Troup County School System. Strings Attached was expanded to all eleven elementary schools and string teachers were added to all three middle schools. In 2022, the string program was expanded to all three high schools. The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra has supported this program through a collaborative partnership with the Troup County School System and the Callaway Foundation. Michael Giel became the Conductor of the LaGrange Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2021 upon the retirement of Ms. Myall. In 2024-2025 Dr. Prior conducted the LSYO for a period of year of one year. Since August of 2025, Samuel Vargas has conducted the LSYO assisted by LSYO coordinator Callie Hammond.
Over the years, the Symphony has collaborated with numerous performing arts groups, vocal, dance, and instrumental, such as Choral Society of West Georgia, SONS of Lafayette, LaGrange Art Museum, Azalea Storytelling Festival, LaGrange Society of the Performing Arts, Troup County Historical Society, as well as various music programs with the Troup County School System, LaGrange College, Lafayette Christian School, LaGrange Academy, and the Coweta County High School Band programs. With continued support from individuals, businesses, other organizations, and foundations, the LSO mission “to enrich our community through music,” and its contribution to the community will continue into the future.
LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, Inc. is incorporated as a 501 c3 non-profit organization.