Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra

History

In 1975 a small group of musicians got together for the joy of playing the standard classic repertoire. The music was limited to what they could borrow, and Roy Bennett agreed to lead them. By the fall of 1975, when the orchestra was incorporated (Chippewa Valley Symphony, Ltd.), 22 string players were in the group, and wind players were invited to join them. Financial resources were meager—they consisted of dues paid by members and the director.

The first concert was presented in 1976 at the Tainter Memorial Theater in Menomonie. In 1977 the CVSO became a member of the Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras and the American Symphony Orchestra League.

The CVSO grew to a membership of 60-65 musicians for the 1978-79 season and remains about the same size today. The State: Regional Arts Center has been home to our office and the location of most concerts since 1988.

In 1978, Music Director Roy Bennett left Eau Claire and guest conductors led the group for a season. Ivar Lunde, a music professor at UW-Eau Claire, became the conductor for the next nine seasons. In 1987, Dr. Merton Johnson arrived to chair the UW-Eau Claire Music Department. He conducted the CVSO orchestra from 1988 to 1993. In the fall of 1992, Nobuyoshi Yasuda came to UW-EC to teach violin and conduct the UW-EC Symphony Orchestra. He has been our music director since 1993.

Some Recent Highlights for the Symphony

CVS Foundation
The Chippewa Valley Symphony Endowment Trust was established in 1997 and is now a fundamental part of the Symphony’s financial picture. The donations given to the Endowment Trust are gifts for the Symphony’s future.

Friends of the Symphony
The 'Friends of the Symphony', a small but mighty group, sponsors events such as the Garden Stroll and the Christmas Stroll to earn funds for the CVSO.

The Symphony Goes to School
In 1998, the Education Committee piloted a program for musicians to visit the classrooms of 2nd grade students. This program has been successfully expanded every year and now visits are made to every school in Eau Claire, as well as some in Altoona and Chippewa Falls. The Education Committee, with the help of a grant from Target, also provides art supplies for area art classes and the students create art while listening to orchestra music recordings for inspiration.

Musician Remuneration
For the first 27 years our musicians were volunteers. In 2001, the Board of Directors voted to provide remuneration for them, which increased the budget greatly. The annual campaign has been instrumental in raising these funds.

Kristo Orthodontics Young Artist Competition
Young musicians from 14 to18 in Wisconsin and Minnesota are welcome to enter the Kristo Orthodontics Young Artist Competition. An application form is submitted with a recording of a movement of a concerto or aria. The orchestra material must be readily available for the orchestra to obtain. Three cash prizes are awarded and the winner is invited to perform the competition selection with the orchestra at our March 14, 2009 concert. To have an application form sent to you, please contact the Symphony at 715-832-6366 or info@

Summer Ensemble Camp
In 2011 the CVSO held it's first ever Summer Ensemble Camp. The camp is a three-day, two-night camp at Beaver Creek Reserve. Students work with very talented area teachers under the direction of Dr. Peter Haberman. Campers work on their ensemble playing skills, both with large ensembles as well as smaller ensembles such as duos, trios, quartets, etc. Summer Ensemble Camp was a long-time dream of CVSO members, especially two of our founding-members, Bill Eisenbarth and Dale Young. The plan is to continue Summer Ensemble Camp annually and grow in size with a long-term goal of having two separate orchestras within the camp.