Stamford Symphony is now Orchestra Lumos

The Stamford Symphony announced that it has rebranded itself as Orchestra Lumos, effective immediately. This rebrand, far from a superficial or merely aesthetic transformation, is a complete makeover of the institution from top to bottom, with significant changes implemented to its mission, programming, and education & community engagement. As Orchestra Lumos, this storied institution, once representing only the town of Stamford, Connecticut, has removed its geographical boundaries in order to engage the wider Fairfield County community – both in terms of numbers as well as demographics – in meaningful, sustainable ways.

President and CEO Russell Jones states: “Orchestra Lumos will be integral to making Fairfield County a dynamic place to live, work, raise families, and enjoy a stellar quality of life. We are thrilled to serve the breadth of our community through innovative, often culturally attuned programming; partnerships with diverse local arts and cultural organizations; and ever-expanding, practical education initiativesthat nurture both musical and life skills—and build the audiences of the future. Orchestra Lumosstrivesto be a musical beacon close to home; we invite you to share in the joy, passion, and inspiration of music-making from Fairfield County, and beyond.”

An effective development strategy is instrumental in the realization of this rebrand. The Orchestra’s recently-launched Crescendo Fund, for artistic, educational, and community growth, will ensure that new local markets are reached, public school students in the county are engaged, and the Orchestra is able to look through a wider lens at its programming. The Fund’s goal of adding $1 million a year to the Orchestra’s budget, within the next five years, has already raised $4 million in pledges and is ahead of schedule, signifying the high level of commitment from the Stamford Symphony’s patrons and supporters as it transitions to Orchestra Lumos. Additionally, the recent awarding of a $75,000 Catalyst Fund Incubator Grant from the League of American Orchestras will make Orchestra Lumos a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution, actively deepening its connection to Fairfield County’s thriving Latinx and African American communities in purposeful and consistent ways. Orchestra Lumos’ musical choices, collaborations, engagement, and internal structure is diversifying.

Mission
While filling concert halls has long been considered the litmus test of a successful orchestra, Orchestra Lumos views all engagement as vital and worthwhile – whether in the audience at one of the Orchestra’s regular Palace Theatre season concerts, or in a small space concert at a place of worship, a family program at one of Fairfield County’s libraries, or an instrument petting zoo for public school students. In contrast with the Stamford Symphony’s 2018/19 season, the last full concert season before pandemic shutdowns, the plans for the 2022/23 season are nearly unrecognizable. Orchestra Lumos will have more musicians on stage than ever before for main full orchestra programs; seven small space concerts, played by members of the Orchestra, from Greenwich to Westport; and in order to expand the Orchestra’s educational and outreach programs, Orchestra Lumos has hired its first ever full time Community Engagement and Education Manager.

The Mayor of Stamford, Caroline Simmons has voiced her support for the upcoming changes: “It is with great pride that I congratulate Stamford Symphony on itsrevitalized image as Orchestra Lumos. This particular institution, a culturalstaple in our community life, has been a champion for the performing arts and music in Stamford for more than sixty years. The benefits of having an orchestra of world-class musiciansin our hometown cannot be overstated, and expanding Orchestra Lumos’ engagement to our neighboring communities means not only a more culturally rich Fairfield County, but a more closely-knit one as well.”

In addition to Orchestra Lumos’s eleven mainstage performances at The Palace Theater in Stamford, the 2022/23 season also comprises seven small space concerts (Greenwich, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport) as well as its vast offerings to the Fairfield County community and its schools.

“We are all energized and excited for the future. Orchestra Lumosis going to be a leading example of what an orchestra can be, in and for its community. As Orchestra Lumos musicians, we look forward to sharing the power and joy of music with the diverse audiences of Fairfield County and beyond,” says Orchestra Lumos Violinist Sue Lorentsen.

Programming
In order to echo the Orchestra Lumos name musically, each mainstage concert will feature a work by a 21st century American composer which places the motif of light at its front-and-center. Additionally, dynamic guest soloists of international acclaim – including Joshua Bell, Alisa Weilerstein, the Dalí Quartet, Awadagin Pratt, and others – join Orchestra Lumos, illuminating the stage with both new and treasured classical works. The 2022/23 season programming, also largely a reflection of Music Director Michael Stern’s inaugural season on the podium, is a celebration of this pivotal moment in the Orchestra’s history.

A full listing of all mainstage and chamber music concerts can be found at https://www.stamfordsymphony.org/

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