Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland
| Identifier |
SUA-114 |
| Creator(s) |
Elliot, Thomas; Robinson, Lacey; Salisbury Symphony Orchestra |
| Acquisition |
UA2021.017, UA2022.007, UA2022.008 |
| Language(s) |
English |
| Use |
Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use." |
| Preferred Citation |
"Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland." |
| Attribution |
Finding aid written by Jennifer Piegols, February 2022. |
| Related Materials |
Curtis and Helen Williams' Playbill Collection (1983 – 2019) Records of the Office of Public Relations (1928 – 2020) Records of the Publications Office (1940 – 2019) WSCL Collection (1985 – 2018) Office of Publication Photographs (1928 – 2019) Records of the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department (1961 – 2024) |
| Separated Materials |
Oversize material have been filed in the Nabb Center's flat filing system. Framed photograph of SSO has been moved to hanging racks in object storage. Row 24, Section 3, Shelf 3 |
Administrative History The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra at Salisbury State University (now Salisbury University) was created in 1986 in response to a number of amateur performers and civic leaders in Salisbury who felt very strongly about the need for legitimate orchestral music in their community. A local group of string players met with Dr. Thomas G. Elliot who had just been appointed Chairman of the Department of Music at SSU. Dr. Elliot was very enthusiastic about the idea of starting a symphony orchestra; however, he was concerned with the availability of qualified musicians and variety of instrumentalists needed to staff a full symphony orchestra.
On January 20, 1986, twenty-three musicians met in the music Annex on the SSU campus for their first rehearsal. In the subsequent eight short years, the Orchestra grew to over sixty musicians and has given many successful performances of classical music to an enthusiastic and increasing number of concert goers.
The mission of the SSO continues to be a performing ensemble for amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians providing quality, affordable, live performances of standard orchestral literature for the people of the Eastern Shore.
Different from other area orchestras, the SSO is a partnership comprised of university students, community members and professionals. Now under the baton of Dr. Jeffrey Schoyen (Dr. Tom Elliot retired from the SSO in 2003), the orchestra is still supported by Salisbury University.
Prior to 2006, the SSO performed two annual concerts, one in December and one in the spring. Since 2006, each SSO season has included three concerts performed in Holloway Hall Auditorium on the SU campus. A Children’s Concert occurs biennially and often features nationally acclaimed actors who creatively introduce young audiences to the orchestra and classical symphonic works. The Fall, Holiday and Spring concerts feature standard classical repertoires as well as occasional contemporary, popular and jazz selections.
Members of the Salisbury Symphony study and perform standard orchestral literature that may include chamber as well as full-sized orchestral works. The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra serves as a valuable resource within the Department of Music at Salisbury University by providing a musical outlet to musicians within a liberal arts university environment including students, faculty, community players and professionals.
