{"id":37,"date":"2017-09-22T18:25:22","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T18:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/?page_id=37"},"modified":"2026-07-21T21:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T01:58:07","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About the BSO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra has been a musical home for those who want to keep their love of music alive. We provide performance opportunities and a real sense of community for musicians from Bloomington and surrounding areas. We also provide ongoing educational opportunities for audiences, students, and the community at large, because we truly feel that music is a gift that\u2019s meant to be shared. &nbsp;From light-hearted holiday pops shows and children\u2019s concerts to the great masterpieces of orchestral music, our programs educate, enlighten, and entertain audiences of every age and background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mission<\/strong><br>The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra supports and promotes lifelong participation in the performing arts. Through musical collaboration, performance, and education, we aim to have a positive impact on the creative fabric of our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Values<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Meaningful artistic collaboration<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Effective leadership with strong collaborative committees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Lifelong learning in the performing arts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Being responsive to community need<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Pursuit of artistic excellence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Willing to take creative risks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Being aware of change in the world of music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Preservation of traditions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Exploration of new and diverse avenues of expression<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">A music director\/leader that understands the values and mission of the organization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Effective implementation of objectives through active committees<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Dialog and collaboration with community partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Collaboration with regional and international creative partners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Active and ongoing relationship-building with sponsors and supporters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Performance of key symphonic repertoire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">An exploration of underrepresented composers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Serving the Musicians of the ensemble<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Giving community members an opportunity to perform orchestral music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Commissioning a diversity of new works<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Performance excellence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Collaboration with a wide range of partners at IU and in the Bloomington community<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Representing Bloomington in what it does<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-4 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"600\" data-attachment-id=\"211\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/about-us\/horn\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?fit=775%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"775,600\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"horn\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Brass action shot!&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?fit=775%2C600&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"211\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?resize=775%2C600&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Horn Players\" class=\"wp-image-211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?w=775&amp;ssl=1 775w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?resize=300%2C232&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/horn.jpg?resize=768%2C595&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" data-attachment-id=\"212\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/about-us\/img_0037\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?fit=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"800,533\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"IMG_0037\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Todd, our principal trumpet&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?fit=800%2C533&amp;ssl=1\" loading=\"lazy\" data-id=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?resize=800%2C533&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"view of a man playing the trumpet looking at his music stand\" class=\"wp-image-212\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/IMG_0037.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra has been a musical home for those who want to keep their love of music alive. We provide performance opportunities and a real sense&hellip;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":926,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-37","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P9cNEX-B","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1184,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/about-us\/about-the-bso\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":0},"title":"About the BSO","author":"Donna Lafferty","date":"December 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Founded in 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is a musical home for Southern Indiana residents who want to keep their love of music alive. We provide performance opportunities and a real sense of community for musicians from several counties across south-central Indiana. We also provide ongoing educational opportunities for audiences,\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BSO-Marquee-1-e1689872147982.png?fit=782%2C481&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BSO-Marquee-1-e1689872147982.png?fit=782%2C481&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BSO-Marquee-1-e1689872147982.png?fit=782%2C481&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/BSO-Marquee-1-e1689872147982.png?fit=782%2C481&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":40,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":1},"title":"Founded in 1969, the Bloomington\u2026","author":"Kira Gartell","date":"September 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Founded in 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is a musical home for Southern Indiana residents who want to keep their love of music alive.\u00a0The BSO promotes a lifelong appreciation of music through the performance of orchestral repertoire and outreach to the community in Bloomington and south-central Indiana. The BSO has\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2023.05.14-BSO-Alejandro_s-Last-Concert-034.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2023.05.14-BSO-Alejandro_s-Last-Concert-034.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2023.05.14-BSO-Alejandro_s-Last-Concert-034.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2023.05.14-BSO-Alejandro_s-Last-Concert-034.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/2023.05.14-BSO-Alejandro_s-Last-Concert-034.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":401,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/join-us\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":2},"title":"Make Music With Us","author":"Kira Gartell","date":"October 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Members of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra volunteer their time and musical talents, striving for excellence while building lasting friendships and enriching our community. Our orchestra includes members with various musical backgrounds and performance experience. The BSO performs pieces from a diverse orchestral repertoire during 5-7 full-orchestra concerts per season, along\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-006-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4406,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/new-home\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":3},"title":"New Home","author":"Kira Gartell","date":"July 20, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Founded in 1969, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is a musical home for Southern Indiana residents who want to keep their love of music alive.\u00a0The BSO promotes a lifelong appreciation of music through the performance of orchestral repertoire and outreach to the community in Bloomington and south-central Indiana. The BSO has\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/BSO-047-scaled.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":75,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/about-us\/board-and-history\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":4},"title":"BSO Board, Staff, and History","author":"Kira Gartell","date":"October 12, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"2026 Board of DirectorsAlexis Witt, PresidentDavid Dawson, Vice PresidentMegan Rawlings, SecretaryKatie Chapman, TreasurerCatherine Baum-NewlinAaron LynnMike MattnerWilson ShitandiJaneth Welch StaffMichael Patterson, Music DirectorDonna Lafferty, Executive DirectorKira Gartell, Orchestra ManagerKit Boulding, Concert LeaderMarianne Ritter, Music LibrarianLane Rogers, Production ManagerHenry Morgan, Asst. Production Manager History The\u00a0Bloomington Symphony Orchestra was founded during the winter\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"Alejandro Gomez Guillen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/alejandro1.png?fit=800%2C395&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/alejandro1.png?fit=800%2C395&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/alejandro1.png?fit=800%2C395&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/alejandro1.png?fit=800%2C395&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4654,"url":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/sponsors\/","url_meta":{"origin":37,"position":5},"title":"BSO Sponsors and Partners","author":"Kira Gartell","date":"October 21, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"A huge thank you to those who support the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra. What we do is made possible in part by the following organizations, sponsors, and community partners: Allure EyecareIU Archives of African American Music and CultureBaird Wealth ManagementBaugh Fine Print & MailingBloomington Arts CommissionBridges Musical Arts Youth OrganizationBrown County\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/nea-2018-Square-Logo-white-on-black-with-url2.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5922,"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37\/revisions\/5922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/926"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bloomingtonsymphony.com\/staging\/6573\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}