Rockford Symphony Orchestra

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is one of the leading cultural institutions in Northern Illinois, performing classical and pops concerts annually. The RSO was founded in 1934 and incorporated in 1943. The RSOs first Music Director and Manager, Arthur Zack, who led the orchestra for 27 years. In 1970, the Board of Directors appointed Crawford Gates as its next music director, bringing renowned guest artists to perform with the orchestra including Van Cliburn (1972), Victor Borge (1973), Phyllis Diller (1974), and Benny Goodman (1975). Upon the retirement of Crawford Gates, the RSO Board named Charles Bornstein as music director in 1986. In 1991, the Board named Steven Larsen as the RSOs fourth music director. Described as a Renaissance musician, Larsen went to work and expanded the orchestras repertoire, attracting musicians of the highest caliber. The RSO has hosted such notable classical and pops artists as Peter Schickele, Rick Nielsen, Dionne Warwick, Andre Watts, Eugene Fodor...