IMPERIAL VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA HISTORY

The Imperial Valley Symphony (formerly the Imperial Valley Chamber Orchestra) was founded in 1974 to satisfy the need for a local orchestra by symphonic musicians who had been traveling to either San Diego (California) or to Yuma, Arizona, in order to play in an orchestra. The IVS is a small (35-50 member) symphony orchestra sponsored by the Imperial Valley Symphony Association, Inc. It was incorporated in 1977 and received non-profit, tax-exempt status for educational purposes from the State of California in 1977 (C08334352 P.B.) and from the Internal Revenue Service in 1978 (95-2975080 P.B.). 

The IVSA provides funding for the annual concert schedule of the Imperial Valley Symphony. This includes purchase or rental of music, payment of any applicable royalties, rental of the concert hall, custodial fees for the concert hall, logistics of concert hall set-up and transportation of instruments and equipment, publicity, and fees for imported orchestral musicians, conductor, and soloists. 

The Annual Concert Schedule generally includes three programs: 
    * a Fall Concert with orchestra (or orchestra and soloist) around the last week of October;
    * a Mid-Winter Concert with orchestra (or orchestra and soloist) around mid-February; and
    * a Spring Concert featuring the winner of the Annual Young Artist Competition around mid-April.

These programs may have multiple presentations, with concerts in Mexicali, BC, Mexico, in Yuma, Arizona, or in Borrego Springs, CA, in addition to those in the Imperial Valley. Furthermore, the orchestra may provide the pit orchestra for a musical theater presentation. 

From 1981 to 1993, the IVSA also sponsored the Imperial Valley Master Chorale, a community chorus which presents at least one major work for soloists, chorus, and orchestra in conjunction with the Imperial Valley Symphony each year. In 1994, the IVMC began the process to become an independent non-profit corporation. In 1995 it was granted tax exempt status. From 1995 to 1998, the IVSA has sponsored the newly formed Imperial Valley Symphony Chorus (founded and directed by the then-IVS Assistant Conductor, Patricia Shreves Saracco) which performed two programs per year with the IVS. (It is now known as the North County Chorale and under the auspices of the North County Coalition for the Arts of the Imperial County Arts Council.) 

In addition to its primary purpose of mounting concerts, the IVSA provides an active scholarship program including an annual Young Artists' Competition, private music study scholarships, and scholarships for summer music camp. 

Since its inception, the Imperial Valley Symphony Association, Inc. has awarded over $50,000.00 in scholarships to Valley music students. Last year alone, the IVSA awarded $3,000.00. 

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Last Modified: June 20, 2006
Send comments to Joel Jacklich at joel.jacklich@imperial.edu.