Dedicated to bringing superb symphonic music to Garland, TX and its neighboring areas since its founding in March 1978, the Garland Symphony Orchestra (GSO) has been a staple of the Garland community. Over the course of its history, the GSO has performed over 180 performances, showcasing music by more than 200 different composers. This contains the world debuts of new works by Texas composers, among other things. The orchestra draws people from as far away as Garland, Dallas, Richardson, Rowlett, Rockwall, and Sachse to attend.
James Gambino, a violinist, served as the orchestra’s conductor for its inaugural season. It covered the following two seasons, during which time the late Howard Dunn, former conductor of the highly respected Dallas Wind Symphony, assumed the baton of the orchestra. Mischa Semanitzky took over as conductor of the GSO for the 1981-82 season, and he was succeeded by Daniel Hornstein the following year.
It was in 1986 that the Garland Symphony Orchestra’s artistic direction was transferred to Robert Carter Austin, who is still serving as its Music Director today. Under Maestro Austin’s direction, the orchestra evolved from a group of highly dedicated volunteer players to a brilliant ensemble of international renown. Among the team’s members were some of the best professional instrumentalists in the DFW Metroplex.
Because of the GSO’s evolution to become a prestigious, professional ensemble, it has developed into a strong orchestra with a large number of members who have been meeting new challenges and celebrating new victories with the orchestra for more than a decade.
In addition to the pianists James Barbagallo, Katia Skanavi, and Oleksiy Koltakov, violinists Eliot Chapo and John Thomson, guest conductor Volodymir Sirenko, Chet Atkins, the Platters, Crystal Gayle, and the Rich-Tones have all performed with the Garland Symphony Orchestra.
In its objective to improve the overall quality of life in the developing and diverse community, the Garland Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit organization. It accomplishes this through invigorating, entertaining, and involving citizens and organizations via musical performances of exceptional cultural and educational significance.
The Granville Arts Center is home to two exquisite proscenium theaters with a combined seating capacity of 720 people. The Main auditorium has a 55-foot fly loft with a counterweight mechanism, which is located above the stage. The Plaza Theatre, which has a capacity of 350 people, is also part of the Arts Complex.
Curtis Culwell Center
Good Life Painters of Garland