Hawaii Symphony Orchestra

The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, formerly known as the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra, was founded in 1900. The symphony is the oldest orchestra in the USA west of the Rocky Mountains. Originally housed in a clubhouse on the slopes of Punchbowl, the Honolulu Symphony now plays from the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall in downtown Honolulu.

The Symphony has undergone a series of transformations over the course of its first century, responding to the challenges and opportunities of the times. It has endured two World Wars, the Great Depression, financial crises, and changing musical and cultural fashions.

In 2010, facing a multimillion dollar deficit, the symphony disbanded under chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy law, but was quickly revived the next year under the new name "Hawaii Symphony Orchestra" by a group of Honolulu businessmen. JoAnn Falletta was appointed artistic director, and Steven Monder, former director of the Cincinnati Symphony, was appointed president.

From 1996 to 2004, the Honolulu Symphony was under the direction of conductor Samuel Wong. Previous music directors include Fritz Hart (1937–49), George Barati, Robert La Marchina, Donald Johanos (1979–94) and JoAnn Falletta. The symphony also performs popular music under the direction of pops conductor Matt Catingub as the Honolulu Pops.

In August 2007, Andreas Delfs, current music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, officially became principal conductor of the Honolulu Symphony. He led seven concerts per season in the orchestra's Halekulani Masterworks series. - Wikipedia