About the LSO
Historical Highlights of the Lethbridge Symphony Association
1960 - The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra was formed, with Albert Rodnunsky as its conductor and Dr. B. Wayne Matkin as its first president.
1961 - The Symphony Women’s League (SWL) was started to support the Orchestra in various ways, with fundraising projects among others. Also, the Lethbridge Symphony Chorus was assembled by Mr. Rodnunsky; it was to last fifteen years.
1963 - “Southern Showcase” presented Broadway tunes and provided the cradle for Lethbridge Musical Theatre which became a separate entity in 1968.
1964 - A Junior Orchestra was formed under Grant Erickson and Malcolm Macdonald, sponsored by the SWL. This group played together until 1970.
1966/1967-8/1969 - Ken Hicken, Peter Heyblom and Wilfred Woolhouse, respectively, conducted the Orchestra.
1970 - Prof. Lucien Needham took over the baton. The Orchestra offered a Season format, including the Annual Family Concert, and introduced run-out performances to the surrounding communities.
1974 - The Lethbridge String Instrument program was launched with the support of Alberta Culture, the local school boards, and the Kiwanis Club of Lethbridge. As part of this effort, professional violinist Norbert Boehm was hired, and the program using the Suzuki method was established at the Grade 1 level.
1976 - Prof. J.P. Christopher Jackson became interim conductor and urged the Association to engage its first resident Music Director. Norbert Boehm succeeded Dr. Clifford Palmer as Concertmaster. In September, the name officially changed to the Lethbridge Symphony Association (LSA).
1978 - Music Director Stewart Grant’s tenure began and included the formation of a core of resident professional string players now known as Musaeus; the Southern Alberta Chamber Orchestra; the creation of a Chamber Recital Series sponsored by the du Maurier Council for the Arts, and the “Music for a Sunday Afternoon” Series at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
1985 - For our 25th Anniversary Season, we organized our first ever Young Artist Competition
1994 - Claude Lapalme joined the LSA as Music Director, to remain through the 2001/2002 season.
1995 - For our 35th Anniversary Season, Michael Pisko designed the current logo for the LSA.
August 1998 & 2000 - Music at the McIntyre, summer afternoon concerts including the LSA and other musical groups of the area, were presented at the beautiful McIntyre Ranch near Magrath.
2000/2001 - Our 40th Anniversary Season opened with a wonderful Master Series concert in memory of Albert Rodnunsky. In May, we launched our annual Kids Choir Concerts which combine area elementary school choirs with members of the orchestra for symphonic accompaniment.
July 2002 & 2003 - Music on the Mountain was performed at the Pass Powder Keg Ski Resort, in combination with the Crowsnest Pass Rum Runner Days.
2002/2003 - Ken Rogers was appointed interim director during the Association’s music director search.
2003/2004 - Glenn Klassen was appointed Music Director of the Lethbridge Symphony.
2006/2007 - The Lethbridge Symphony shared the stage with country rock band, Doc Walker, during its 2nd annual Symphony on the Green.
2007/2008 - The Lethbridge Symphony joined forces with Lethbridge College to help them celebrate their 50th Anniversary. The Symphony also shared the stage with The Chevelles, a local rock band.
2008/2009 - The 10th Anniversary of the collaboration between directors Fran Rude and Ken Rogers and the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra resulting in the very popular Broadway Musical. The Symphony moved venues from the Yates Memorial Theatre to Southminster United Church to accommodate a growing audience.
2009/2010 - The Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra revealed its new brand.