For more than 80 years the Symphony Association has been presenting four ADMISSION-FREE concerts for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community. Today 1,600 or more music lovers attend each concert.
In 1932, during the midst of the Great Depression, a young violin instructor at Whittier College, Ruth Haroldson, put together a group of musicians and founded the Whittier College Community Orchestra. In 1937, then known as the “Whittier Symphony,” they performed for the City of Whittier’s Golden Jubilee.
The Whittier Symphony continued to expand its influence and share music and music education programs far beyond Whittier’s city limits. In 1964, the Symphony’s Board of Directors, in order to recognize the expansion of its programs and the financial support of the cities of Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs and the County Of Los Angeles, changed the name to the Rio Hondo Symphony.
The Whittier Regional Symphony performs four admission free classical music concerts each season at the Vic Lopez Auditorium at Whittier High School, Whittier Ave. in Whittier California. The concerts start at 3 PM, have one intermission, and are completed before 5 PM. Two concerts are held in the fall, and two in the spring.
Once again, the Symphony hopes to achieve those goals. Membership in the Symphony Association and an appreciative audience help to make that possible.
With supporters of the Whittier Regional Symphony, from left – Senator Bob Archuleta, Yoshio Nakamura and WRS President Fred Zermeno.
It is a privilege and an honor to be named as president of the 86th season for the Whittier Regional Symphony by my colleagues. This is an organization that I have been following for many years. The four free concerts, their music enrichment programs that include the Young Artist Competitions, the free children’s concerts, Kids Korner and the Young Artist Competition are amazing and an amazing way to give back to the community.
We will continue to bring you the best free classical music the region has to offer with our brilliant conductor, Kimo Furumoto, and our excellent professional orchestra. We will make sure our Music Enrichment Programs thrive throughout the local schools as we continue to reach over 10,000 children a year.
Fred Zermeno, President
Whittier Regional Symphony
(562) 698-8626 | whittierregionalsymphony@gmail.com
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