History
75th Diamond Jubilee Book -- “Story of the Rio Hondo Symphony”
Click here to download the RHS "Story"-Whittier Library Announcement
The 56-page glossy book is the Second Edition of a book written in 1985 by Dorothea Cummings. She was the Publicity and Advertising Manager and Program Editor of the Rio Hondo Symphony for almost 30 years.
In recounting the orchestra’s 75-year history, the book shows why the orchestra has become one of the finest and oldest community symphony orchestras in all of Southern California.
The orchestra, founded in 1932 by Ruth Haroldson, young violinist and teacher at Whittier College, has had only five conductors in its long history. Haroldson was the conductor and music director until 1965.
The chapter on the Young Artists Competition lists all winners in the event’s 40-year history. It includes numerous photos as well as information on past winners who are enjoying impressive careers in the music field today.
The book, which has almost 100 photos, gives a detailed description of what the positions of concertmaster, orchestra managers and librarian entail.
Other chapters are: 75 Years of Beautiful Music – and All for Free; Meet the Musicians (with formal portraits); Soloists of Note; The Passionate Past Presidents; The Invaluable Symphony Guild, The Priceless Music Enrichment Program, and many more.
The orchestra kicked off its sparkling 75th Diamond Jubilee with a special “Pops” concert July 20, 2007, in Santa Fe Springs. It marked the celebration of the founding of Santa Fe Springs 50 years ago and the Rio Hondo Symphony’s 75th Diamond Jubilee season.
The mission of the Rio Hondo Symphony Association is to enrich the cultural life of the community it serves, to expand the musical knowledge of youth and adults, and to provide an outlet for the talents of musicians in the greater Southern California area through the performance of symphonic music.
The Rio Hondo Symphony Association continues to seek the important financial backing necessary to keep the nonprofit community symphony orchestra alive.
Foundations that have made grants to the orchestra in the last few years include Hennings-Fischer Foundation, Robinson Foundation, Target Stores, and Boeing Ca. E.C.F.