Salisbury Symphony Celebrates a Historic Milestone with 2026–2027 Season
For nearly six decades, the Salisbury Symphony Orchestra has been part of the heartbeat of Rowan County — filling concert halls with music, inspiring generations of students, and proving that a community the size of Salisbury can sustain something truly extraordinary.
Now, the Symphony is preparing to celebrate a major milestone with the announcement of its 2026–2027 season: the organization’s 60th anniversary year.
Blending powerful masterworks, holiday traditions, and crowd-pleasing pops performances, the upcoming season honors the Symphony’s legacy while looking ahead to the future of the arts in Rowan County.
A Legacy Rooted in Rowan County
The Salisbury Symphony’s story began in the early 1960s when Dr. Samuel E. Duncan, president of Livingstone College, envisioned creating a resident orchestra for the community. That vision quickly grew through a partnership with Catawba College and the Salisbury City School System, officially leading to the formation of the Salisbury Symphony in 1966.
The orchestra’s first concert was held in Keppel Auditorium in 1967 — and nearly 60 years later, the Symphony continues to thrive as one of the region’s most treasured cultural institutions.
It’s a remarkable accomplishment for a community the size of Salisbury.
“It is relatively rare for a municipality to host its very own professional symphony orchestra, and rarer still that the hosting city is as small as Salisbury,” the Symphony shared in its season announcement.
Over the years, the organization has grown far beyond performances alone, becoming a cornerstone of arts education and community engagement throughout Rowan County.
The Salisbury Symphony’s history is preserved not only through performances, but through documents and photographs that tell the story of how the organization came to be. One archival document from 1966 outlines the collaborative effort between Livingstone College, Catawba College, and community leaders to establish a symphony orchestra in Salisbury. The proposal ultimately led to the creation of what would become one of the longest-running professional orchestras in a community of Salisbury’s size.
Founding History
Another historic photograph captures Albert Chaffoo, the Symphony’s founding music director, conducting in the organization’s early years. Chaffoo played a pivotal role in organizing the area’s first symphony orchestra and leading its inaugural concert in 1967.
Albert Chaffoo
A Season Designed to Celebrate
Under the direction of Music Director Daniel Wiley, the 2026–2027 season brings together bold storytelling, emotional depth, and community-centered performances.
The Masterworks Series begins in September with ¡Masquerade!, a theatrical and visually inspired concert featuring guest trombonist Evelyn Carlson of the Kansas City Symphony.
In January, audiences will experience Aurora, a program centered around themes of light, transformation, and resilience through music by Emilie Mayer, Shostakovich, and Sibelius.
The anniversary season concludes in May with Letters of Humanity, highlighted by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 — one of the most recognizable and celebrated works in orchestral history.
Together, the performances reflect both the emotional power of orchestral music and the Symphony’s long-standing connection to the community it serves.
Holiday Traditions and Pops Favorites Return
The season also includes several performances designed to bring audiences together through familiar favorites and shared experiences.
Following a successful return last season, Handel’s Messiah will once again take place during the holiday season at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The beloved choral work remains one of the most enduring traditions in classical music.
The Pops Series continues with Home for the Holidays, featuring seasonal classics, a narrated Nutcracker story, and a community singalong.
In March, Motown, Soul, and Symphony will blend iconic Motown hits with orchestral arrangements, spoken word, and performances celebrating the legacy and influence of soul music.
Photo Credit: St. John’s Lutheran Church
More Than a Symphony
While the performances are a major part of the organization’s identity, the Salisbury Symphony’s impact extends well beyond the concert hall.
For more than 20 years, the Symphony has invested heavily in music education across Rowan County through youth orchestras, school programs, summer camps, after-school strings, and educational performances for local students.
The organization’s continued commitment to accessibility and education has helped cultivate generations of young musicians and arts supporters throughout the region.
Looking Ahead to the Next Movement
The upcoming season also continues a new era under Music Director Daniel Wiley, who joined the Symphony beginning with the 2024–2025 season.
Known for his work with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and his passion for music education, Wiley has already brought fresh energy and artistic vision to the organization while continuing to honor the Symphony’s long-standing traditions.
As the Salisbury Symphony enters its 60th year, the milestone serves as a celebration not only of the orchestra itself, but of Rowan County’s enduring support for the arts.
In a growing and evolving community, the Symphony remains a powerful reminder that meaningful cultural experiences — and world-class music — continue to thrive right here in Salisbury.
Historical photos and featured images are courtesy of the Salisbury Symphony unless otherwise noted.
