The Wheeling Symphony Society, Inc. was established in 1929 by Mrs. Eleanor D. Caldwell and a group of local musicians as the foundation upon which a Wheeling Symphony Orchestra was born. As the Wheeling Symphony enters its 90th season, it continues to operate on the premise of its founders who were “. . .prompted by a love of music and because we believe a larger musical organization could undertake more comprehensive programs for the entertainment of more people.” Over the past nine decades, the symphony has gained national prominence under nine music directors. The orchestra has developed a reputation for sending musicians to the ranks of major American orchestras including the Chicago Symphony, Houston Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony and the Washington National Opera. Guest soloists with the orchestra have included major artists of our time: Yehudi Menuhin, Arthur Rubinstein, Roberta Peters, Marian Anderson, Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Richard Stolzman, Andre Watts, Jean-Pierre Rampal, to name a few. Today, the orchestra lead under the leadership of John Devlin performs seven concerts at the historic Capitol Theatre in Wheeling each year during its regular subscription season, plus an annual holiday spectacular Symphony on Ice at WesBanco Arena which draws community participation from area skate clubs, middle and high school choirs, and business and local partners. Additionally, two free concerts draw over ten thousand of tri-state area residents for music and fireworks. A July Fourth celebration is held at Wheeling’s Heritage Port Amphitheater while a Labor Day weekend performance is given at the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater in Oglebay Park. The orchestra also performs in Canaan Valley, Clarksburg and Weirton.
