About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Founded in Columbus, GA in 1855 by Herman S. Saroni, a student of the master German composer Felix Mendelssohn, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra has the distinction of being the second oldest orchestra in the United States — second only to the New York Philharmonic.
Since that time, the CSO has been dedicated to serving the region with exceptional orchestral music performances. A fully professional orchestra, the CSO employs many of the finest musicians in the southeast and beyond to bring you the very best in beloved classics and modern masterpieces.
Housed in the state of the art RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, you can expect a high quality performance with a “come as you are” attitude.
We can't wait to see you at the symphony!
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George Del Gobbo has been the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's Music Director and Conductor since 1987. During this time the orchestra has experienced unprecedented artistic growth.
Del Gobbo began his musical education on the violin at age twelve. An interest in conducting soon followed and he pursued both disciplines at the Eastman School of Music and the Catholic University of America. The most profound influence on his musical thinking came during the time he spent as a student of Maestro Franco Ferrara at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome and the Accademia Chigiana in Sienna, Italy.
Prior to his work in Columbus, Del Gobbo served as the Associate Conductor of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Conductor of the Fort Worth Ballet, Director of Orchestral Studies at Texas Christian University, and Music Director and Conductor of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth. He has also appeared as guest conductor with orchestras around the country and in South America, including the Orquesta Classica de Santiago and the Orquesta Sinfonica de Concepcion, both in Chile.
About Maestro George Del Gobbo
The Dr. & Mrs. Steven Leichter Chair
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The Columbus Symphony Orchestra provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, regardless of an individual's race, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, age, disability, or national origin. It is the CSO's policy to recruit, employ, retain, promote, and otherwise treat any and all employees and job applicants on the basis of qualifications and competence. All hiring practices of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra will comply with applicable laws or regulations concerning equal employment opportunity.
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Orchestral Auditions
Auditions for the 2024-25 Season are now closed.
The CSO plays live orchestral music — at every concert we strive to play something you’ll know and love, and something you might not have heard before. We are committed to bringing you dynamic, live versions of your favorite masterpieces, as well as exploring works from living composers, including female composers and composers of color.
In short, we celebrate the canon of orchestral music, both past and present!
You can come as you are at the CSO, and you’ll be in good company. We often see patrons in jeans, alongside patrons who have brought out special occasion attire for the event. Wear something that makes you feel good, and we’ll be glad to see you.
Maybe, but maybe not. Since what we play is not something you would normally hear on the radio and in your everyday life, our Music Director & Conductor, George Del Gobbo gives an introduction to the music in each concert’s repertoire called Know the Score.
Know the Score happens at 6:30 PM before the performance.
Staff
Kern Wadkins
Executive Director
George Del Gobbo
Music Director & Conductor
Heather Grover
Finance Director
Thomas Trinh
Operations & Education Director
Leah Eckstrom
Marketing Manager
Board of Directors
Pat Daniel
Nina Elmore
Hon. Seth Harp
Linda Patton
Dr. Bonnie Ellis
President
Ron Seay
Vice President
Rick Hojan
Treasurer
Courtney Bottoms
Alice Lee-Boulton
Dr. Mercedeez Byrd
Sherrika Day
Jayne Dunn
Desonuia Johnson-Wise
Arreasha Z. Lawrence
Virginia McCullough
Mike Morrill
Kathleen Mullins
Warner Neal
Dr. Cynthia Wolfe
Steve Sawyer
Assistant Treasurer
Mary Jo Pugh
Secretary
