Early Years

Nearly 2,000 people gathered at the University of New Mexico's Carlisle Gymnasium on a cool Wednesday evening, November 13, 1932 to hear the debut performance of the Albuquerque Civic Symphony. Teachers, students, housewives and business people comprised the 61-member orchestra. Just one month earlier, a group of Albuquerque music enthusiasts had founded the Albuquerque Civic Symphony.

Grace Thompson Edmister, one of the first women in the nation to direct a city orchestra, was the Symphony's first conductor. As head of the UNM music department, she had the experience to help establish a successful orchestra. Ms. Thompson Edmister served as conductor until 1941. Although she moved from Albuquerque in 1942, she returned in 1970 and continued to promote the establishment of music within the community until her death at age 93.

In 1941 when William Kunkel served as conductor and Carl Cramer as assistant conductor, the Symphony began the practice of inviting guest artists to complement the concerts. Today, the NMSO continues this practice bringing nationally and internationally known classical and pops musicians such as Van Cliburn, Yo-Yo Ma and Doc Severinsen to the audiences of New Mexico.

Following a distinguished career as performer and conductor on both sides of the Atlantic, Kurt Frederick became conductor of the Albuquerque Civic Symphony in 1945. For five years he enhanced and strengthened the Symphony's quality. He conducted the Symphony in the American premiere performance of "A Survivor from Warsaw" composed by Arnold Schoenberg. One of the most remarkable musical personalities in Albuquerque's history, Mr. Frederick also was involved with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, the UNM Chamber Orchestra and was one of the founders of the Albuquerque Opera Theatre.

On April 27, 1957, the audience sat comfortably in new chairs as they watched the ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the stage of the new Civic Auditorium, the Symphony's new home. Since its inception 25 years earlier, the Symphony had matured considerably and the audience had grown. Hans Lange, conductor from 1950-58, certainly enjoyed conducting the special pops concerts in the Symphony's new home. While serving as conductor, Mr. Lange led the Symphony from amateur to professional status. For the first time, every player received some pay for their work.

One year after the Symphony moved to the Civic Auditorium, Mr. Lange retired and Maurice Bonney became conductor. During Mr. Bonney's 10-year tenure, the Symphony's performance improved and community support increased. In 1966, the Symphony name was changed to the Albuquerque Symphony Orchestra. That same year Popejoy Hall, the Symphony's current home, was completed.