About the Orchestra
The Monroe Symphony Orchestra has carried live, symphonic music to the heart of northeast Louisiana for more than five decades.
The orchestra traces its lineage to the Twin City Symphony, the first orchestra in Ouachita Parish. In October 1971, Dr. Richard “Doc” Worthington organized a new ensemble, and on February 10, 1972 it gave its first concert at Parkview Baptist Church under the name Monroe Symphony Orchestra — the date the MSO marks as its founding.
Doc’s first orchestra had 46 members. From those first concerts, the orchestra has grown into a regional institution, with musicians and listeners arriving from a roughly forty-mile radius of Monroe and West Monroe. The Youth Symphony followed in 1973–74, and the Monroe Symphony League was founded shortly after that first concert in 1972.
From the founding maestro to today, eight music directors have shaped the orchestra’s sound across fifty-five seasons.
Founding music director. Built a 46-member inaugural orchestra and led it through more than 80 concerts before becoming Conductor Emeritus.
Associate Conductor; MSO principal oboist since 1973, debuting on the podium in May 1991.
Music Director, concurrently Resident Conductor of the South Carolina Philharmonic.
Led the orchestra through its Silver Anniversary season and beyond.
Rose from Associate Conductor to Music Director; with the MSO since 1974 as principal tubist and a ULM faculty member.
Sixteen seasons — the longest tenure after Worthington — leading the orchestra through the 2019–20 season.
Music Director through the orchestra’s return to full seasons.
Music and Artistic Director. Hired for 2025–26 and renewed for the landmark 55th season.
“The Monroe Symphony Orchestra provides live, symphonic music of high artistic quality for the enjoyment and education of northeast Louisiana.”
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 72-0716521 · Tax exempt since December 1972.
Every subscription and gift keeps the orchestra rehearsing and the stage lit for the whole community.
