Orchestras & Opera Houses
Loudoun Symphony
The Loudoun Symphony was formed as the Loudoun Community Orchestra (LCO) in the fall of 1990 to provide musicians from Loudoun County and the surrounding area with the opportunity to perform outstanding orchestral music for county audiences. The LCO gave its inaugural concert in March 1991 to nearly 1,000 people at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg. In 1992, the organization received not-for-
The Loudoun Symphony was formed as the Loudoun Community Orchestra (LCO) in the fall of 1990 to provide musicians from Loudoun County and the surrounding area with the opportunity to perform outstanding orchestral music for county audiences. The LCO gave its inaugural concert in March 1991 to nearly 1,000 people at Loudoun County High School in Leesburg. In 1992, the organization received not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) status and selected Jed Gaylin as Music Director and Conductor. During this time, there were three multi-age performing ensembles for varying levels of proficiency: the Loudoun Chamber Orchestra, the Loudoun Community Orchestra, and the String Workshop.
In 1994, the organization was renamed the Loudoun Symphony Association (LSA), and the orchestra became the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra (LSO). In 1997, Mark Allen McCoy became Music Director and Conductor and served until his untimely death on August 1, 2016.
In 2018, Dr. Nancia Dalimonte was appointed as LSO Music Director and Conductor. Under her baton, the LSO began its transformation from community orchestra to semi-professional orchestra.
The LSO is comprised of 65 musicians, with membership by audition only. Principal and assistant principal string players, as well as eligible winds, brass, and percussion musicians are compensated with a per service stipend. The orchestra also pays a per service stipend to substitute and other additional needed musicians.
The performance ensembles and educational outreach programs have grown steadily in size and artistic quality over the years. In 2001, the LSA established the Loudoun Symphony Youth Orchestra (LSYO) for youths aged 12-18. Today, LSYO consists of three ensembles: Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra, and String Orchestra, under the leadership of Dr. Hayden Denesha, LSYO Music Director and Conductor. Both the LSO and LSYO participate in various educational outreach activities including in-school “mini” concerts, instrument “petting zoos” and concert programs designed for younger audiences, and a Summer Orchestral Institute.