Each month, Visit Racine County is shining a spotlight on the vibrant arts community in Racine County. From instrumental and vocal music to drama and comedy performances, there is something to enjoy nearly every week of the year. Racine County is home to a nationally recognized art museum, engaging hands-on art studios, and inspiring art galleries that showcase talented regional artists. This month, we feature the following article by Heather Keszler, patron services and marketing manager at Racine Symphony Orchestra.
The Racine Symphony Orchestra (RSO) is one of the longest continuously operating orchestras in the state of Wisconsin. Its mission is to enrich, educate and entertain through the power of symphonic orchestral music with a vision to grow opportunities for others to experience extraordinary music that touches and transforms the heart and soul.
The RSO was established in 1932 by Frederick Schulte, and he conducted it for 25 years. For much of its history, the RSO’s musicians consisted of local amateur musicians. Since the late 1990s, however, the orchestra has consisted of professional musicians, many of whom have advanced degrees in music performance or music education. Approximately 85% of musicians live in Southeast Wisconsin with about 25% in Racine County. A few musicians come from Chicago, Madison, and even Appleton.
Music has changed significantly since the beginning of the RSO. Concerts typically consisted of classical music in the early years, but as society changes, so does the RSO. It introduced Pops concerts in 1989, and in 2021, started its Musical Flights series. The most important part is that these events are accessible to people.
In addition, the RSO is committed to its education programming. The Racin Unified School District’s Fine Arts Coordinator, Regan Schmidt, has been working with the RSO’s Executive Director, Jonathan Winkle, on ensuring the educational events are planned and executed with student engagement in mind.
The RSO faces many challenges, as do most orchestras around the country. The RSO is working on re-establishing a presence in Racine County. The staff and board members are constantly looking for new ways to bring high-quality orchestral experiences to the audience. They are also working on finding partnerships with businesses around Racine County. The partnerships created are a key part of ensuring that the Racine Symphony Orchestra continues to its 100th anniversary.
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