Mission & History
Mission
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra’s mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through music. The Peoria Symphony Orchestra presents excellent live musical performances, innovative music education programs, and engaging community outreach efforts, which significantly impact the cultural life of Central Illinois.
vision
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will be widely recognized as the leading professional orchestra in Central Illinois with an influence that reaches beyond the region, serving as a national model of innovation, artistic excellence, music education, community collaboration, and financial sustainability.
Peoria Symphony Orchestra 1917-1918. Founder of the PSO, Harold Plowe is the conductor.
History
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) was first known as the Bradley Symphony Orchestra under the direction and vision of musician and conductor Harold Plowe. On November 24, 1897, the Peoria Journal Star newspaper wrote: “An orchestra is to be organized under the auspices of the Bradley Institute for the study of orchestral compositions of the best masters, classic and modern. It will be open to all persons who possess the requisite musical skill and are otherwise suitable for membership. The orchestra will be under the general supervision of Dr. C.T. Wyckoff of the Institute. It will be directed by Harold Plowe, whose experience as a teacher and conductor especially fit him for this service. It is hoped to make this a permanent feature of the educational work of the institute and Peoria.” Nineteen years later, on December 5, 1916, the Bradley Symphony Orchestra incorporated and was renamed the “Peoria Symphony Orchestra.”
Conductor Plowe retired in 1927. For the next 50 years, nearly a dozen different conductors directed the symphony. In 1978, Dr. William Wilsen took the podium and remained for 21 years. Under Wilsen’s direction, the Peoria Symphony rose to a new level and experienced a centennial celebration. In 1989, the PSO was acclaimed nationally and internationally when they played in Germany at the International Bodensee Festival. After Wilsen’s retirement in 1999, David Commanday was music director until 2008. During his tenure, the PSO’s visibility and endowment grew significantly.
During the 2009-2010 season, the PSO auditioned seven talented conductors, chosen from a pool of over 250 world wide applicants. In June of 2010, George Stelluto was selected to become the PSO’s new Music Director beginning with the opening concert of the 2010-2011 season on September 18, 2010 and is the PSO’s current Music Director.
Since 2010, he has brought the PSO to perform at the Ravinia Festival and on regular regional television and radio broadcasts. During the COVID pandemic, the PSO broadcast all of its concerts free on WTVP-public television, bringing the solace of music to the entire Central Illinois region.
Download Past Performances Archive
impact
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra performs several programs annually including Student Concerts. We also host a Young Artist Competition every year and multiple social and fundraising events. The PSO continues to make a significant impact on the arts in Central Illinois.
Ways to get involved
Welcome! I invite you to explore the various elements of our organization. Just as an orchestra is comprised of different sections with individual musicians, so our organization is layered with each entity striving to do its best work on behalf of your Peoria Symphony Orchestra.
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra Board – Providing governance and oversight of PSO operations.
- Peoria Symphony Orchestra Staff – Executing the mission and business functions, from artistic direction to fundraising and ticket sales.
- Peoria Symphony Foundation – Providing oversight of investments to ensure the long-term sustainability of the PSO.
- Peoria Symphony Guild – An auxiliary group whose members support and promote the PSO and its educational outreach initiatives.
Should you have any questions about the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, please do not hesitate to contact us.
