The Bangor Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1896, making BSO one of the oldest continuously operating orchestras in the U.S.
The Symphony owes its start to Abbie N.Garland, a popular Bangor piano teacher and composer, who — at the age of 44 — decided her town needed a symphony orchestra.
The first year, she managed the organization with the help of Symphony Conductor Horace Mann Pullen. The second year, she recruited musicians and the third year, she sponsored the Symphony’s subscription sale. She also worked tirelessly to educate the public about Symphonic music and to create enthusiasm for unfamiliar pieces.
The Symphony played its first concert on November 2, 1896 in Bangor City Hall. Horace Mann Pullen conducted the 16-member orchestra in a program featuring Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony.
Today, the Symphony’s 70 musicians present classical concerts and pops concerts; The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet; the annual Youth Concerts, BSO Maine High School Concerto Competition, and the Maurice P. King Master class.
Since 1896, ten Music Directors have held the baton for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra — and many guest artists have brought their talents to Symphony performances.
BSO Past Presidents
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1916 – 1924 |
Horace Mann Pullen |
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1924 – 1952 |
Adelbert W. Sprague |
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1952 – 1956 |
Carl W. Maxfield |
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1956 – 1957 |
Daniel W. Fenner |
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1957 – 1959 |
Eugene H. Rice |
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1959 – 1961 |
Harris B. Southard |
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1961 – 1962 |
Dr. Carl W. Irwin |
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1963 – 1964 |
John S. Taylor |
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1964 – 1966 |
Dr. Edward Porter |
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1966 – 1968 |
Dr. George O. Chase |
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1968 – 1969 |
Gordon W. Clapp |
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1969 – 1970 |
Norman Minsky |
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1970 – 1971 |
Mr. Ambrose S. Higgins |
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1971 – 1973 |
Mrs. John A. Woodcock |
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1973 – 1975 |
John Bragg |
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1975 – 1977 |
Don Ziegenbein |
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1977 – 1979 |
Dr. Robert Clukey |
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1979 – 1981 |
Mr. Daniel B. Priestley |
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1981 – 1983 |
Mrs. Richard W. Sprague (Ann) |
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1983 – 1985 |
Margaret C. Bragg (McGill) |
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1985 – 1987 |
Dr. George W. Wood III |
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1987 – 1989 |
John Bragg |
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1989 – 1991 |
Deedy Schiro |
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1991 – 1993 |
Dr. Thomas Watt |
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1993 – 1995 |
Dr. Anne E. Pooler |
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1995 – 1997 |
Dr. John A. Bradford |
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1997 – 1999 |
Melvin Braverman |
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1999 – 2001 |
Thomas C. Johnston |
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2001 – 2004 |
Dr. Charles F. Rauch |
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2004 – 2006 |
James H. Goff |
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2006 – 2007 |
Jeffrey D. Smith |
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2007 – 2008 |
Sandra Blake-Leonard |
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2008 – 2011 |
Samuel W. Lanham, Jr. |
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2011 – 2013 |
Joyce Clark-Sarnacki |
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2013 – 2015 |
Lisa Jepson Wahlstrom |
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2015 – present |
Scott Blake |