Mission
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra is a professional orchestra with the mission to enrich the cultural lives of the citizens of Ridgefield and surrounding communities by presenting musical performances of the highest artistic quality. The RSO also strives to increase the appreciation for music through active community involvement and innovative educational programs.
Value Statement
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra holds the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion central to achieving our mission. We stand against racism and all forms of discrimination, and affirm our commitment to featuring diverse voices in our musical and educational programming, engagement of artistic talent, and our leadership. We are committed to upholding the principles of equality and inclusion, and affirm that we are all equally and unequivocally deserving of respect and acceptance as human beings.
History Highlights
2024-25 – The RSO 60th Anniversary Season!
2023-24 – The RSO’s 59th season featured extraordinary musician, soloist and 7-time Grammy award-winning double bassist Edgar Meyer performing with the orchestra.
2021 – The RSO presented the world premiere of the commissioned piece A More Perfect Union by composer Paul Frucht.
2019 – The RSO kicks off the celebration the Dave Brubeck centennial year with a performance in December featuring the Brubeck Brothers Quartet in concert with the orchestra.
2018 – Yuga Cohler becomes the RSO’s sixth music director.
2014-2015 – The RSO celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2012 – Philanthropist Harold Spratt helps underwrite the production of the Sweet Dreams CD featuring 18 lullabies recorded in various languages by acclaimed vocalists and musicians. The CD’s would be given to patients at the Spratt Family NICU at Danbury Hospital in Danbury, CT.
2008 – Gerald Steichen becomes the RSO’s fifth music director.
1999 – Upon her death, RSO Board member Louise Peck leaves the orchestra a bequest of $2,000,000.
1996 – Sydney Rothstein becomes the fourth RSO Music Director.
1986 – The orchestra’s name was changed to the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra.
1984 – Another landmark performance by the orchestra features the music of Dmitri Shostakovich conducted by his son Maxim.
1977 – The Ridgefield Orchestra performs at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and records an LP including works by Bach, Mozart, Kabalevsky, Gounod and Liadov. The New York Times raves “The Ridgefield Symphony has become a shining example, praised by many music critics, of what a high level performance can be supported by a small town.” Also in 1977, the Ridgefield Orchestra Foundation is formed to manage an endowment for the orchestra.
1976 – The orchestra’s name was changed to the Ridgefield Orchestra.
1974 – New York Magazine critic Alan Rich writes “. . . the Ridgefield Symphonette has changed from a purely social group to a community cultural asset of commendable quality.”
1970 – The Symphonette evolves into a professional orchestra, via musician auditions, under the baton of the third music director, Beatrice Brown. Her legacy was a high quality professional orchestra.
1967 – Salvatore Princiotti becomes the second conductor of the Symphonette.
1966 – “The Friends of the Symphonette” is formed as a group of 11 people who led fundraising, social and publicity efforts to support the ensemble.
1964 – The orchestra, originally called the Ridgefield Symphonette, was founded by Marcus Fischer, Marguerite Fischer, George Leeman Sr., Agathea Filgate and Bill Rodier. Marcus Fischer was the first conductor.
Music Directors/Conductors
Eric Mahl – 2024-present
Yuga Cohler – 2018-2024
Gerald Steichen – 2008-2016
Sidney Rothstein – 1996-2007
Beatrice Brown – 1970-1995
Salvatore Princiotti – 1967-1969
Marcus Fischer – 1964-1966
