Annual budget: $1.3M
Mission: To enlighten, educate, and entertain through symphonic music
What the nominator said: “While there are many hard-working organizations in Rockford involved with helping the least of us and other groups that provide for the elite of us, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra caters to what is the best in us. The RSO is the soul of the city. Of course, they perform to entertain their audiences, but they do so much more. Every time this organization performs someone comes into their concert venue, whether it be the Coronado, Starlight, Sinnissippi Park, or even a local polling place, someone comes in hurting, lost, or feeling hopeless and is uplifted by the power of live music and its ability to literally bring harmony, healing and peace into one s life. The years of dedication and practice from this marvelous group of musicians and teachers and the leadership of its director and staff give everyone who hears them a new outlook on life. They affirm everything
ROCKFORD The show must go on, even in the midst of a pandemic.
The Rockford Symphony Orchestra has announced that its annual Holiday Pops concert will be a made-for-television event instead of the usual live performance at the Coronado Theater. The annual event typically incorporates large choirs and a variety of musical ensembles, but things will be different this year. Everything is scaled down because of our inability to accommodate a large number of musicians in the space and keep them safe, said Michele McAffee, the symphony s marketing director.
The orchestra will perform and record the concert at Trinity Lutheran Church. A condensed 30-minute version of the concert will be broadcast on 13 WREX at noon and 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.