The Loudoun Symphony was formed as the Loudoun Community Orchestra (LCO) in the fall of 1990 to provide musicians from Loudoun County and the surrounding area with the opportunity to play and present fine orchestral music to county audiences. The LCO gave its inaugural concert in March 1991 to nearly 1,000 people at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg. In 1992, the organization applied for and received not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) status and selected Jed Gaylin as Maestro. During this time, there were three multi-age performing ensembles for varying levels of proficiency: the Loudoun Chamber Orchestra, the Loudoun Community Orchestra, and the String Workshop. In 1994, the organization was re-named the Loudoun Symphony Association, and the orchestra became the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra. In 1997, Maestro Mark Allen McCoy became Music Director and Conductor.
The performance ensembles and educational outreach programs have grown steadily in size and artistic quality over the years. The premier performance ensemble, with membership by audition only, is the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra (LSO). The String Workshop remains active and is available to all beginning string players without audition. In 1996, we initiated an In-School Mini-Concert program, sending the Maestro and a chamber size orchestra or small chamber ensemble into the elementary schools each spring during Music in Our Schools month. In 1998, we offered our first Instrument Petting Zoo in partnership with Loudoun County Public Libraries and Melodee Music. In 2001, we established the Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra (LSYO) for youth aged 10-18. In 2008, we began our chamber music series at Franklin Park Arts Center, in which leading players from the LSO offer small ensemble performances. Our newest program is an annual music performance competition for high school students, Loudoun’s Got Talent!, which made its debut in spring 2009.
Fall 2011 marks the beginning of the Symphony’s 21th full season. During most of our history, we have performed in middle and high schools, and our gratitude to the many county and school administrators, staff members, music teachers and students who have made us welcome is boundless. Currently, Stone Bridge High School and Band Director Dr. Keller continue to host the rehearsals for the LSO, String Workshop and LSYO, and the LSYO also performs there. New for the 2010-11 season, the Loudoun Symphony and the Loudoun String Workshop will be presenting all of their concerts in the Virginia Academy’s state-of-the-art 800-seat auditorium. The opportunity to present all of our concerts in this centrally located and truly beautiful concert venue marks the beginning of a new era for the Loudoun Symphony Association.