When the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra went into bankruptcy in 2022, the musicians formed the San Antonio Philharmonic almost immediately after their orchestra died. This bold action paid off, and after a first season the new orchestra has found its wings: With the opening season’s enthusiastic audiences and acclaim in and beyond Texas, the SA Phil will continue with its second season at its home venue, the First Baptist Church downtown, beginning in September.
Besides the ten concerts of the 2023/24 season, plans also are underway for increasingly robust educational and community engagement programming, including flagship Young People’s Concerts (multimedia, full orchestra presentations targeted to grades three through five) totaling 34 performances for projected audiences of more than 30,000 students. Also planned are a set of G6-12 Discovery Concerts for grades six through 12, six free-admission Open Rehearsals for Students, Family Concerts, multiple master classes presented by guest artists and student performers, and significant individual and student group discounts to weekend Classics concerts. Additionally, the SA Phil plans to partner with multiple school districts, San Antonio Public Libraries, the San Antonio Symphony League, Avenida Guadalupe Association, The Public Theater of San Antonio, YOSA, Hearts Need Art, local hospitals, and several churches around Bexar County to provide free access to Philharmonic musicians, live music, and mentoring.
Here is the link to the announcement.
