About Us

Begun in 1988 as a fifteen-member string ensemble, The Symphony of Rutherford County grew to a 60-member, all-volunteer orchestra which has ebbed and flowed over the years. We currently stand at 50 volunteer members. We are a 501©(3) non-profit organization, governed by an elected board of directors.

Our History

In the 1980’s Anna Martin, a local strings teacher, organized her most accomplished students into a string ensemble called “Carolina Silver Strings.” This group of around 15 students performed at several locations in Rutherford County, which continued to thrive until she moved and left the county.

Not wanting this core group to be without a learning/performance outlet, and also desiring to expand it to include other instruments, the Lamar String field Music Club voted in 1988 to establish and to sponsor a new organization initially called “The Little Symphony of Rutherford County.” The music club hired its first conductor, Henry Hampton, of Spartanburg, S.C. Under his direction, the organization expanded to become a multi-generational orchestra with an open-door policy that encouraged people of all ages, and ethnic backgrounds to become members.

In 1990, officers of the Lamar Stringfield Music Club applied for and were granted 501 (c) (3) status for “The Little Symphony of Rutherford County” to become an entity unto itself with its own board of directors, a set of by-laws, and a mission: ”To serve the community through music and music education.” Within two years the group had grown by leaps and bounds. In 2000 its directors applied for and was granted permission to drop the word “Little” from its name , thus becoming “The Symphony of Rutherford County.”

Board Presidents (1987-Present)

• Richard Beard
• Mildred (Mickey) Starling
• Betty Jo Carpenter
• Doug Long
• Joe Goodwin
• Nancy Womack

Conductors (1987-Present)

• Henry Hampton (F. 1988—Sp. 1993
• Ron Kikasola (F. 1993—Sp. 1997)
• Robert Hudson (F. 1997—Sp. 1998)
• Cara Regitz (F. 1998—Sp. 2002)
• Brian Evans (F. 2002—Sp. 2004)
• Matt Guffey, Interim (Sp. 2012—Present)
• Patricia Sparti (Sp. 2013—Present)