About

The Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra

An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...

 (LMSO) is based in the Lake Murray area of South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

, USA

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

.,

History

The idea for Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra began in 2001 when a small group of musicians performed with the Lexington County Choral Society. Several players in that group saw the potential for a larger ensemble and founded a steering committee. Headed by artistic director Dr. Einar Anderson, the committee successfully incorporated the orchestra, recruited additional musicians, obtained non-profit status, held a fund raising event, and organized LMSO's premiere concert, which was presented on March 28, 2004. The first Board of Directors was elected May 18, 2004.

Concerts

In 2010, the symphony performed for the opening of the Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College, is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving the primary region of Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina....

 Harbison Theater located in Irmo, South Carolina

Irmo, South Carolina

Irmo is a town in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina and a suburb of Columbia. It is 12 miles outside of the city center of Columbia and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area...

. Following that performance, the Harbison Theater was selected to be the performance hall home for the symphony.

The Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra concert season typically begins with an annual fundraiser Wine & Waltzes Gala event in September, which is followed by a performance at the Saluda Shoals Park at their Unearth Celebration of Naturally Inspired Art in early October. Three additional concerts remain in their concert season, which officially ends in May. During the summer months, the LMSO may be found performing at various community events such as a concert in the park and the 4th of July celebration on Dreher Island.

With the exception of Wine & Waltzes Gala event, and in keeping with the mission statement of the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra, all concerts presented by the symphony are free to the public.