The women of the CSL are a diverse group from a variety of professional and community service backgrounds. All share a love of music and enthusiasm for helping the Columbus Symphony remain a vibrant part of our community. Formed in 1981 specifically to raise funds for the CSO, the group has raised over $1,500,000 for special CSO programming and music education opportunities.

As the founding organization for the Columbus Symphony, the Friends of the Columbus Symphony has been involved since 1951 with promoting symphonic music, volunteering, fundraising and hosting receptions for the musicians, chorus, and staff.

History of the Friends of the Columbus Symphony

The Columbus Symphony is proud to be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The Friends of the Columbus Symphony, formerly the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony (WACSO), is equally proud, as this is the group that was largely responsible for the founding of the Symphony back in 1951.

The Columbus Symphony may have a unique origin story. Symphony orchestras in large cities have been generally founded by civic leaders. Ours was founded largely by women volunteers, often the wives of local businessmen and college faculty; they had supported the earlier Columbus Philharmonic (1941-49) and were profoundly disappointed by its failure. 

With a primary motive of education, during the two years after the demise of the Philharmonic these women had continued fundraising efforts for music scholarships. They were receptive to a generative partnership: George Hardesty (the former concertmaster of the Philharmonic and on the faculty of the School of Music at Ohio State) was willing to gather 28 qualified musicians to form The Columbus Little Symphony, and the Women’s Association would contribute start-up capital and take on everything else. The Symphony’s charter would retain its emphasis on education as its mission. 

Everything else included, as it turned out, selling tickets and arranging performances for roughly the first five to ten years of the orchestra’s existence. Only the musicians and music director were paid. Anecdotally, the orchestra’s administration was dubbed the “kitchen table.” All managers, fundraisers, bookkeepers, and ticket sellers were volunteer officers and members of the Women’s Association. A manager was hired in 1956. Finally, in 1961 an independent Board of Directors was organized. The name became officially The Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

Initially this challenge involved over 500 Association members organized in eight smaller units, usually neighborhood-based. These women were not necessarily wealthy, so they were not writing checks as much as working to raise money in creative ways. They cooperated to hold an amazing array of support events including Christmas card sales, fashion shows, bridge parties, The Celebrity Lectures of Note Series, and many symphony events for children. 

Membership peaked in the 1960s. As the Symphony grew, gradually professional full-time musicians were hired and, correspondingly, full-time administrators took over the day-to-day functions.

Through the years, The Women’s Association has continued in its focused mission to work to raise funds for the Columbus Symphony, with a particular emphasis on educational programs for young people. And these efforts have never flagged, although the association has fewer members now and three remaining units. The organization has continued to evolve with the times. It has been ten years since men have been welcomed as members, a change reflected in its renaming to Friends of the Columbus Symphony. A board of officers meets monthly to make plans and guide the organization. Next year, Ken McKinley will be the first man to serve as the organization’s president. 

The Friends currently hosts Appreciation Receptions for the orchestra, chorus, and staff. Each year, members volunteer to help with the Young Musicians Competition, and Friends presents The Lois H. Allen Concerto Prize of $1,000 to the winner. Volunteers assist in such tasks as preparing mailings from the Symphony office and managing coffee and donuts for patrons at dress rehearsals and children’s activities before concerts. The organization raises money through dues, donations, an annual pansy sale, and various themed events. They also have quarterly luncheon meetings throughout the year featuring a musical program or guest speakers. The units within the group offer additional activities, events, and social gatherings in the months between the quarterly meetings. 

Today, women’s lives have changed in ways unimaginable to many of those courageous women who founded the Symphony in 1951. Many years have passed, but Friends continue to celebrate and support a vital link in the city’s vibrant arts community. Their focus is service and fundraising with enthusiasm and purpose, sharing a common bond of love of music. And they would love to include new members to maintain the legacy of support for our Columbus Symphony. No matter what your availability and circumstances are, you will be welcome. To join, please contact Gretchen Mote (gkmote@columbus.rr.com).