Message from John Gordon Ross (Music Director and Conductor)  | HOME

Mission statement:

To provide musical performances of distinction that enrich and enliven the community’s classical music experience and to nourish new audiences through school concerts and family outreach programs.

Somethings we do but Sometimes go UN-NOTICED

Hickory achieved ‘All America City’ Status for the 3rd time since its conception. The WPS String Quartet Residency was a strong part of the application for this honor.

There is an active concert series held at Lenoir-Rhyne University, as well as The SALT Block in Hickory.

Public Library System Rug Concerts: 7 (4 in Hickory, 3 in Catawba Co.)

In-School Performances: 18 (5 in Hickory, 8 in Catawba Co.

1 at Lutheran School, 4 outside of Catawba Co.).

The String Quartet performs one concert per year in nearly each one of our elementary schools. 

The Chamber Orchestra performs a concert on 18 occasions preceded by music teachers using our instructional materials to prepare the students. 

Centro Latino: 6.

In total these concerts reach a combined audience of over 31,000 students in six local school systems

Senior Adult Facility Concerts: EIGHT (3 in residential facilities, 5 in nursing facilities).

Hospital Performances: FOUR (4)

We also provide a Youth Symphony which draws membership from SEVEN (7) counties.  

The past two years we have partnered with  high school choruses for a  Christmas Concert at Catawba Community College Community (CVCC), attracting well over 2,500 people from different locations and backgrounds.