Huntsville Symphony Orchestra

About:

When von Braun and his team moved to Huntsville in 1950, they found lush surroundings and agreeable weather in this cotton mill town with a population of some 16,000. While their professional lives were dedicated to realizing visions of flights into space, many of them were skilled amateur musicians who shared a deep-seated passion for classical music.

Cofounder HSOWhen longtime residents Bill and Margaret Lindberg moved to what is now the Five Points area in 1955, they recall hearing their German neighbors playing chamber music on their porches. Bill’s reaction: “We have found an incredible little city! It’s only a matter of time before the new German residents will demand an orchestra!” As the Lindbergs would soon discover, an orchestra was in the process of being formed, and the first concert would come at the end of the year.

In late 1954, Arthur Fraser of Montevallo met Huntsville cellist Alvin Dreger who described his musical associations with German scientists and their families. Together, they decided to start an orchestra.