Since it was formed in 1993, Chandler Symphony Orchestra has proudly served the Chandler community by performing a series of classical concerts to the public, all at no charge.
As Executive Director Pam Hahn notes, the orchestra is made up of anywhere from 80 to 100 professionally trained musicians who volunteer their time and talents.
In addition to the five symphonic concerts and three chamber music concerts that are performed each year, Hahn says the orchestra is also devoted to its many community partnerships and its youth program.
“We participate as much as we can in the city of Chandler events,” she says. “They have been very supportive of our orchestra, so we do our darnedest to get out there.”
For example, in February, the orchestra is part of the Chandler Innovation Fair.
“We have an educational booth at the fair where kids come and learn about making sounds and how we hear,” Hahn says. “We also teach the children how to make batons and we teach them how to conduct.”
In 2023, members of the Chandler Symphony Orchestra took part in the city’s Parade of Lights.
“Then in December, it’s all about music. We have had a longtime, 15-year partnership with the Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre to perform live music for The Nutcracker ballet,” Hahn says. “We are also very excited to have performed The Nutcracker in December with the Phoenix Ballet Company. We took the Chandler Symphony Orchestra to Downtown Phoenix!”
The orchestra’s annual youth competition for musicians in grades seventh through 12th is also a highlight for Hahn and the rest of the orchestra.
“They are amazing. They are just so good,” she says. “The first-place winner gets to come to the rehearsals and then play with the orchestra during our fall concert, which is a great experience for all of us.”
“We participate as much as we can in the city of Chandler events. They have been very supportive of our orchestra.”