A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Symphony Society
SYMPHONY SOCIETY, New York, U.S., organised October 15, 1878, and incorporated by the State legislature, April 8, 1879. Its object is the advancement of music by procuring the public performance of the best classical compositions, especially those of a symphonic character. The society in its five seasons has given thirty regular concerts and as many public rehearsals (six in each season), and two special concerts with the public rehearsals—in all, sixty-four entertainments. At these concerts there have been brought out 89 works, 14 of them for the first time in New York. The orchestra numbers 70 players, and the soloists, vocal and instrumental, are the most distinguished attainable. The concerts of the first four seasons were given in Steinway Hall; those of the fifth in the Academy of Music. Dr. Leopold Damrosch has been the conductor since the start. Officers (1883):—president, Hilborne L. Rossevelt; treasurer, W. H. Draper, M.D.; recording secretary, Richmond Delafield; corresponding secretary, Morris Reno; librarian, D. M. Knevals, and twelve others, directors.
[ F. H. J. ]