The Louisville Orchestra

Written by Julie Greiner

Classical music to pops, and everything in between, the Louisville Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is now in its 65th season. The Orchestra performs 130 concerts each season, reaching over 220,000 patrons, and over 100 in-school performances to more than 25,000 students. The Orchestra was awarded the National Bernstein Award for Excellence in Education and is also the recipient of 17 ASCAP awards. Each

Robert Franz, Associate Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Photographer Quadrant, 1998

year the Orchestra performs 10-15 concerts out in the state, 20 community concerts in venues around the city and performs and interacts with other art organizations.

History of the Louisville Orchestra at a Glance

The Louisville Philharmonic Society first performed in public in 1937 under the direction of Robert Whitney. Outdoors pops concerts began in 1945 at the close of World War II and are still offered today at the Louisville Zoo. In 1949, the Philharmonic Society officially changed its name to The Louisville Orchestra. The Orchestra was invited to Carnegie Hall in 1953 to perform the concerto "Judith", by William Schuman, which lead to the establishment of First Edition Records. The Louisville Orchestra was the first and only orchestra in the United States with its own record label. The Louisville Orchestra has recorded almost 400 works by over 250 composers.

Uriel Segal, Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra

Uriel Segal is also Music Director of the Chautauqua Festival and Conductor Laureate of the Century Orchestra Osaka in Japan. In addition to numerous engagements in Europe, Israel and Japan, he has appeared with the orchestras of Montreal, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Dallas, Houston, Rochester, Phoenix, San Diego, Denver and Buffalo.

Robert Franz, Associate Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra

Robert Franz s the Associate Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, Music Director and founder of the Carolina Chamber Symphony and Music Director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra. Previously he has held the positions of Assistant Conductor and Director of Education of the Winston-Salem Piedmont Triad Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra and the International Music Program Orchestra (NCSA). He has guest conducted the North Carolina, Chattanooga, Charleston, National Repertory

Uriel Segal, Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Photographer Dan Porges

and Winston-Salem symphonies; the Cumberland Valley Chamber Players; and the Killington Music Festival String Orchestra.

Robert Bernhardt, Principal Pops Conductor

Robert Bernhardt is celebrating his 20th anniversary with the Louisville Orchestra this season. He began as Assistant Conductor in 1981, served as the LO's Associate Conductor for most of the 80's, and has worked with the orchestra in every season since. He is also Music/Artistic Director of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, the only combined company in the United States. He was Artistic Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra from 1995 to 1998. Music Director of the Tucson Symphony from 1987 to 1995 and was Principal Guest Conductor of Kentucky Opera.

Louisville Orchestra 2002-2003 Season

The Fifth Third Bank ROARchestra has 4 concerts scheduled in July under the stars at the Louisville Zoo - Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. There are two 2002 Summer Classics set for July 11th at Christ Church Cathedral and July 18th at St. Francis in the Fields. The Hilliard Lyons MasterWorks Series has 6 concerts planned at 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Whitney Hall from September 14, 2002 through May 23, 2003. The U.S. Bank Coffee Concerts have planned 9 concerts on Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. at Whitney Hall beginning on November 7, 2002 through May 22, 2003. The New Dimensions Series has 3 concerts scheduled at Comstock Concert Hall at 8:00 p.m., on September 28, November 2 and March 29, 2003. The Bank One Louisville Pops series has 5 concerts scheduled at the Louisville Palace; The Bank of Louisville Nightlites has 3 concerts scheduled at the Brown Theatre and the LG&E Energy Foundation orKIDStra's has planned 3 concerts for Saturday mornings at the Brown Theatre. To subscribe to the Louisville Orchestra season or for further information call 502-487-8681.