The Story of the Country’sOldest Community Orchestra

Messr. Manuel Santos, a professor of music on leave from a conservatory in Portugal, oboist Louis Capanacci, and violinists Bruno Pieroni and Manuel D. Perry recruited other instrumentalists and presented their first concert on May 11, 1926, with Julio Cardona as conductor. Professor Santos had returned to Portugal before this time. Membership over the years has consisted of people from all walks of life. There have been bankers, lawyers, doctors, dentists, school teachers, mill workers, music teachers, engineers, professional musicians, high school and college students, and senior citizens.

For the 1926–1927 season, Danilo Schotti of Providence conducted the group. In 1927, Hugo Giduz started the season but could not continue for personal reasons, so Ray Goff of Newport became the conductor and remained in that position until 1950, a 27-year stint. During the Ray Goff years, particularly in 1938, the group’s name was changed to “Fall River Symphony Orchestra.”

On his retirement, Edward J. Gahan became the conductor. He was the Secretary/Treasurer of Local 216, American Federation of Musicians in Fall River. He had earned a reputation as a fine trumpeter. After 11 years (1951–1962) at the helm, he retired. In 1962, Faust D. Fiore was named music director/conductor. After 40 years, Mr. Fiore decided to step down in 2002.

During the 2002–2003 concert season, four guest conductors led the Symphony until Ms. Ann Danis was selected as the new conductor. In 2004, Ms. Danis was also named Music Director. Danis remained in this position until the Spring of 2013.

During the 2013–2014 season, four guest conductors worked with the symphony. The orchestra musicians, board members, and audience completed evaluation forms for the four conductors. The data was compiled, and the Board of Directors appointed Douglas McRay Daniels as Music Director in April 2014.

The orchestra moved around for rehearsal space and concert hall. The first rehearsals were held in the YMCA, while the concerts were held in the Music Hall on Franklin Street. For the next 27 years (1927–1954), concerts were held in the Masonic Temple Hall. Over these years, rehearsals were held in the Women’s Club, the First Congregational Church, and the Central Congregational Church. Concerts were then moved to the Ziskind Auditorium of Temple Beth-El from 1954 to 1974.

They then moved to the new Diman Vocational/Technical High School from 1974 to 1978. When the new Durfee High School was completed in 1978, its rehearsal space and auditorium for concerts were offered to the orchestra. For several years (1989 to present), the orchestra has rehearsed and performed their concerts in the Margaret L. Jackson Arts Center of Bristol Community College.

In 1963, shortly after taking over as conductor of the orchestra, Fiore, along with several members of the orchestra such as Edwin C. Gardner, Ruth M. Shand, Mrs. Irving W. Bogle, and Freeman S. Borden and people who had supported the orchestra through the years, got together and discussed the possibility of forming an organization to support the efforts of the orchestra. It was from these meetings that the Greater Fall River Symphony Society, Inc. became a reality. There has been a happy relationship between the Society and the orchestra from its inception.

The Fall River Symphony Orchestra is a community orchestra committed to providing performance opportunities for local musicians and presenting classical and popular music concerts by a full symphonic orchestra.