History of the BSO

For 70 years, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has presented inspiring performances of great music to audiences in Brevard and Indian River counties. The orchestra was founded in 1954 for a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta The Mikado presented by the Northrop Glee Club. Originally known as the Brevard Light Concert Orchestra, the group soon began presenting its own concert series under the leadership Frederick Jaehne. Concerts were presented on a regular basis for many seasons.

In 1966, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra incorporated as a non-profit organization. Joesph Kreines was appointed as Music Director and the organization established its first subscription season of concerts. In 1969, a Board of Directors from the community was formed. Maria Tunicka served as Music Director of the BSO from 1976 to 1986. In 1986, the Board of Directors established a search committee to hire a new Music Director and Principal Conductor of the BSO. The culmination of the international search was the announcement of Kypros Markou for this position. During the 1987-88 season, Maestro Markous led the BSO in its first performances in the new Brevard Performing Arts Center (now known as the King Center for the Performing Arts), where the orchestra has been designated as “Orchestra-in-Residence.” Upon Maestro Markou’s resignation in 1994, the BSO Board of Directors launched another international search for a new artistic leader. In the spring of 1995, Christopher Confessore was introduced as Music Director.

The BSO enjoys performing a variety of concerts in many venues each season. At its home venue, the King Center for the Performing Arts, the BSO presents its five-concert Signature series, three-concert Pops Series, three matinee concerts, annual 5th Grade Concerts, and other events. Free concerts for the community are presented twice a year – the Independence Day Concert on July 4 at Cocoa Riverfront Park and the Family Concert in October at the King Center. The BSO has a strong presence in Indian River County, appearing three times a year on the Indian River Symphonic Association series and performing its annual 5th Grade Concert for Indian River County students, performing for the Vero Beach Opera’s mainstage production, and for the Indian River Medical Center Foundation’s annual May Pops.

The BSO has a long history of collaborating with other arts groups in the region, including the Brevard Community Chorus, Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra, Space Coast Ballet Company, Brevard Youth Chorus, and many others.