Introducing the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra remains a cultural jewel for our community, performing a series of subscription concerts for thousands of adults and school children throughout the year. A free educational concert for children and their families, artist-in-residence programs for students, holiday concerts and the annual Richard R. Deas Student Concerto Competition are just part of the additional outreach programs.

The musicians are local amateur and professional instrumentalists and UNCW faculty and students who rehearse and present orchestral repertoire drawn from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. The conductor, Dr. Steven Errante, is a Professor of Music at UNCW.

Symphony's Impact on New Hanover County

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra continues to enrich, entertain, and educate audiences, and represents Wilmington and New Hanover County as a leader in performance and music education. Because the arts improve the quality of life and attractiveness of a community, the true significance of the arts in economic development is simply this: a community with the widest variety of cultural amenities has the edge in retaining businesses and enhancing business images and community relations, in drawing tourists and conventions, and in creating markets for new business.

Current Season

Our Wilmington Symphony Orchestra offers throughout the year an outstanding series of five classical performances, and a Free Family Concert here in Wilmington. In recent years the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra also performed as part of a July 4th celebration in downtown Wilmington, and on occasion has performed in other cities throughout the Cape Fear Region including Clinton and Whiteville. In addition to bringing outstanding soloists from all over the world, the orchestra also provides an opportunity for emerging artists of the community to perform. The artist-in-residence week provides an outstanding educational enrichment program for area school children.

Organization of the Orchestra

The orchestra was founded in 1971 as the UNCW/Community Orchestra. From its inception, the orchestra has received in-kind support from the university. The founding conductor, William F. Adcock, and all succeeding conductors have been members of the university music faculty. UNCW also provides rehearsal, music library, and performance space. Qualified university students receive academic credit for their participation in the orchestra. Musicians are selected each year by audition.

The Wilmington Symphony Orchestra, Inc. is a non-profit corporation, organized in the State of North Carolina, with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The corporation is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Directors comprised of members of the community dedicated to the mission of the orchestra and includes representatives of the playing musicians along with liaison to the university. The Board is responsible for establishing policies, including the approval of the annual operating budget. A full-time Executive Director is employed by the Board of Directors to oversee and manage the daily operations, business affairs, and resource development.

The orchestra is a member of the League of Symphony Orchestras.