Now in its 78th year of sharing the joy of music with the Upstate, the Greenville Symphony traces its roots back to 1948, when volunteer musicians came together to perform two concerts in the Women’s Gymnasium on the old Furman University campus. Today, the orchestra boasts a roster of 67 professional musicians, including
12 salaried principals, and presents nearly 40 ticketed performances each season, along with dozens of free community events.
Under the leadership of Music Director Lee Mills, now in his second season, the Greenville Symphony offers a vibrant mix of timeless classics and bold new works. As we approach America’s 250th birthday, Music Director Lee Mills and the Greenville Symphony offer a season that reflects the incredible depth and creativity of our country’s musical heritage. The American Season celebrates the stories, landscapes, and bold spirit that define us—whether through the groundbreaking works of today’s composers, the cinematic magic of Hollywood, or the timeless melodies of Gershwin, Bernstein, Dvořák, and Rachmaninoff.
The four-concert series in Gunter Theatre includes some of the best-loved music ever written. Showcasing everything from new music to family concerts to exciting commissions such as a piece with narration highlighting Upstate Revolutionary War heroine Dicey Langston, Carolina-flavored family tradition Peter and the Wolf featuring narrator/actor Mimi Wyche, and brand new works by Clarice Assad and Katherine Balch.
The Greenville Symphony’s special events begin in December with Holiday at Peace. Greenville’s favorite family Christmas tradition is sponsored by United Community and is offered at the Peace Concert Hall for three performances. The wizarding world tradition that began with sold-out houses in 2023 will return with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ in Concert. The performances, sponsored by KYOCERA AVX, feature the original movie on a 40-foot screen onstage above the Greenville Symphony, skillfully playing the entire Patrick Doyle score live to picture. Stay tuned for more symphonic cinema to be announced later this year!
To see the artists of the Greenville Symphony up close, our Chamber Music Series, at Hotel Hartness, Warehouse, and Center Stage, ensures that both Greenville County and the downtown neighborhoods have access to the artistry of our principal musicians. The principal musicians offer bespoke programs featuring classical interpretations of Bluegrass idioms in the fall and tango in the spring.
Education and community engagement have been a central tenet of the Greenville Symphony’s mission since its first children’s concert in 1951. Every year, GSO musicians present free education programs appropriate for various age groups, mentor high school musicians, and perform in all 51 elementary schools in the Greenville County School District, providing access to great music for over 27,000 children annually. The musicians of the Greenville Symphony have a strong presence in the county library system as part of our Lollipops music and literacy programs sponsored by BMW.
With events like Pop-Up Music!, and our summertime camp visits for kids brought to us by South Carolina Arts Commission, the Greenville Symphony takes pride in bringing the magic of music to unique places and spaces across the Upstate. Symphony musicians are coming to a spot near you!
President: Yoshi Kirsch
Education: Eileen Hofmeister
Orchestra Dinners: Lucie Jones, Kris Goff
Membership: Jeffrey Glass
Recording Secretary: Jane Clarke
Treasurer: Jim Reynolds
Social Media: Monika Kirsch
Website: Theresa Brim