THE ORCHESTRA 

The Anderson Symphony Orchestra was organized in 1967 by leaders at Anderson University, with its very first performance made up largely of volunteers from the local community.  Now 44 seasons later, the ASO is  a proud assemblage of professional musicians, who for the most part, earn their living in the music arts.  Maestro Richard Sowers has conducted the Symphony since 1989.  The organization was incorporated in 1978 is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.  Vision Statement: Anderson Symphony Orchestra’s vision is to promote symphonic music and its enjoyment as a significant cultural experience for our community. Mission Statement: Anderson Symphony Orchestra enriches lives through beautiful music of high artistic quality and provides experiences that excite, entertain, engage, and educate our community. We are committed to offering the community a diverse repertoire of music with a goal of cultivating new audiences and growing the organization while remaining fiscally responsible.   The Anderson Symphony Orchestra performs its subscription concerts in the beautiful and historic Paramount Theatre Center in downtown Anderson with an administrative office on site.

THE MUSIC DIRECTOR

Richard Sowers is now in his 22nd season as music director and conductor of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. During his years of leadership, the ASO has seen significant growth artistically, and continues to provide innovative programming to serve the diverse audience of Anderson and surrounding communities. His tenure has seen the first PBS televised broadcasts, many concert broadcasts by Indiana Public Radio, and the creation of the Halloween and the Family concerts. Sowers has led concerts for the youth of Wabash and Huntington Counties, at the Honeywell Center, in addition to the Symphony for Kids concerts for Madison County fifth-graders. Richard Sowers has been guest conductor with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Carmel Symphony Orchestra, theHouston Symphony Orchestra, the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and the New World Youth Orchestra of Indianapolis. During the spring of 2007, Sowers was the guest conductor of the EMO Ensemble in Helsinki, Finland during a two-month residency during which he also served as a guest faculty member at the Sibelius Academy. Now in his 27th year as a Professor of Music at the Anderson University School of Music, Richard Sowers is the Conductor of the Anderson University Chamber Orchestra, the Anderson University Chorale, the Anderson University Men’s Choir, and the Anderson Symphonic Choir; he also teaches undergraduate and graduate level conducting courses. He has achieved national and international recognition with performances and guest conducting throughout the United States and Europe. Sowers served for eight years on the staff of the Conductor’s Retreat at Medomak, a seventeen-day retreat for professional conductors from all around the globe held near Camden, Maine each summer. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and Richmond, Indiana, Richard Sowers received his undergraduate music degree from the Indiana University School of Music where he was a four-year scholarship recipient. He was granted his Master of Music in Conducting from Colorado State University, and in 1993, was chosen as that school’s outstanding music alumnus. Sowers earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting at Arizona State University. Primary conducting teachers included Jan Harrington, Wil Schwartz, Edward Anderson, Douglas McEwen, and Kenneth Kiesler. He has also participated in courses led by Julius Herford, Robert Shaw, Helmuth Rilling, Kirk Trevor, and Daniel Lewis. Richard Sowers makes his home in Anderson with his wife, Nancy, a CPA. They have three children - Benjamin, Matthew and Mary.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dana E. Stone joined the Anderson Symphony Orchestra as their new Executive Director, in October of 2010. A native of Valparaiso, IN, she  returned to her home state after five years in St. Louis, MO where she served four years as the Administrative Director of Union Avenue Opera (UAO). Ms. Stone began with UAO as the Box Office manager and also served as the volunteer coordinator and house manager.  Previously Ms. Stone worked in Immigrant Outreach for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. During her time in St. Louis, she also served as Administrative Director for the St. Louis Women's Chorale and provided grant writing services to other non-profit organizations.  Dana has taught private voice lessons for six years. She is an active soloist and dancer and is dedicated to promoting the performing arts through educational outreach and community performances. Most recently she performed the role of Roxie Hart at Anderson Mainstage Theatre's production of Chicago: The Musical. She was a featured soloist with the St. Louis Women's Chorale and played the role of Angelique in the world premiere opera, O Pioneers!. Ms. Stone has a Bachelor of Music with a double major in Vocal Performance and Spanish from DePauw University and a Master of Music from Washington University in St. Louis. She lives in Fishers, IN with her husband, Dr. Ian Stone, chiropractor and co-owner of Chiropractic Health and Max Performance (CHAMP Chiropractic) in Noblesville, IN.

THE BOARD

OFFICERS David Shade - President William “Will”  Runkle - Co-President Cindy Lanane - Secretary Brett Spangler - Treasurer Stephen Bourke - Past President

Marilyn Ault Paula Bivens Stephanie Daugherty     Keri Happe        Darlene Miller Paul Muething Sydney Schieve William Schmidt Marissa Skaggs Marly Hardy Snyder Julie Stiers Thomas Frazier - President, ASO Friends