History of the Sinfonia

Founded in 1972

The Stockbridge Sinfonia originated in the summer of 1972 at a home in Lenox as an informal chamber group. Among the founders were flutist Joy Graubard Dronge, violinist Teresa Furtado Ouellette, and conductor Leonard Marcus. In 1972, the group moved rehearsals to a classroom at the Stockbridge Plain School and then to Procter Hall in the Stockbridge Town Hall.

By 1977, the group was known as the Stockbridge Chamber Orchestra and presented concerts year-round in venues from Connecticut to New York. The musicians, many of them retired professional musicians or music teachers, ranged in age from thirteen to ninety, a statistic that is true today.

In 1989, the group became the Stockbridge Sinfonia. By 1992, weekly rehearsals beginning in May culminated in several public performance at the end of the summer. Post-concert sessions provided an opportunity for interested musicians to join the group reading through the Brandenburg Concerti, Beethoven symphonies and other pieces as suggested by the musicians.

In 1996, following the death of violinist Al Ludwig, a fund was established to encourage student participation in the orchestra. Three students joined the orchestra that year and received awards from the fund.

In 2002, the group moved rehearsals to the Berkshire Country Day School in Stockbridge.

In 2003, Simeon Loring, who had joined the orchestra in 1985 as a clarinetist, became the orchestra’s conductor and music director. He encouraged young musicians and allowed participation from anyone willing to put in the practice time. He capably and enthusiastically served in this role through 2017.

In 2006, the orchestra became a 501(c)3 organization. Now in addition to free-will donations from players, their family, friends and the public, the orchestra could seek funds from cultural councils, businesses, and foundations.

In 2012, the orchestra moved its rehearsals to the Common Room at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield and welcomed this site as a new concert venue.

In 2018, Tracy Wilson became our conductor and music director. Her tenure has seen collaborations with other arts organizations including Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Children’s Chorus, Berkshire Concert Choir, and Northern Berkshire Chorale.

Over the years, many people have supported the orchestra, including coaches, board members and volunteers. Coaches have included Harvey Seigel, Ronald Feldman, Jerry Elias, Samuel Kalcheim, Paul Green, Cecilia Sparacio, David Wampler, Andrew McCann, and Lyndon Moors.

Board President (since 2004) Christine Singer has led an amazing leadership team over these many years with special thanks to Michael Dunnell, Betsy Strauch, Jerry and Judy Ginsberg, Lynne Latini, Bill and Cindy Maurer, Tracy Wilson, Harriet Hunt, John Davies, Bill Loeb, Rebecca Thompson, Marcia Neeley, Bob Salzman, Linda Hoddy, Cybele Kilby, Ashley Jackowski, Gerold Mohn, and Mary Lee Ledbetter.

Concerts have always been free-will and handicapped accessible. Venues have included the covered patio of the Norman Rockwell Museum, the Round Stone Barn at Hancock Shaker Village, the First Street Common, as well as area churches and school auditoriums.

Despite the COVID cancellation of the 2020 season, the orchestra rebounded with vigor. Here we are in 2025, celebrating our 53rd season. May there be many more!