WALLINGFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Professional Symphony Orchestra in Wallingford
Celebrating 50 Years of Partnership
A Heartfelt Thank You to
Choate Rosemary Hall
The Wallingford Symphony Orchestra extends its heartfelt gratitude to Choate Rosemary Hall for their unwavering support over the past 50 years. We are deeply thankful for the generous use of the Ann & George Colony Hall, which has provided a beautiful setting for our performances and brought the magic of music to life for our community. Your commitment to the arts and your partnership with the orchestra has been invaluable, helping us continue our mission of delivering exceptional music to Wallingford and beyond.
Thank you for being an essential part of our journey and our 50th-anniversary celebration.
Membership & Annual Giving
Donors are the lifeblood of the Arts!
The WSO is a non-profit organization. Funding is achieved through ticket sales, individual and corporate donations, grants and various events.These donations make possible unique musical experiences and bring professional orchestral music to the Wallingford area.
WSO Dedicated to Quality Music
Music heals the soul and brings joy to those who listen.
For 50 years, the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra has been dedicated to bringing quality music to Wallingford and surrounding towns. Founded in December, 1974, the WSO is composed of a 60-member ensemble of professional
musicians.
The inaugural concert was endorsed and funded by the Horizons Committee of the Wallingford Bicentennial Commission as a project in tribute to our nation’s 200th anniversary. The WSO performances have grown to include not only an annual season comprised of multiple indoor concerts; but also special events throughout the area, including an outdoor summer Pops Concert.
A volunteer Board of Directors oversees the operation of the orchestra; meeting monthly to monitor the budget, plan and approve the concert season and organize fundraising.
Philip T. Ventre
Founder & Music Director
of the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra
When Philip Ventre and Terence Netter founded the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra in 1974 in collaboration with the Wallingford Bicentennial Commission, the intention was to enrich the cultural lives of nearby residents through music.
It has been the WSO’s mission ever since.
Maestro Ventre retired in 2020 as the Head of Instrumental Music at Choate Rosemary Hall. During his 50-year tenure, Maestro Ventre conducted the CRH Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, taught six music history courses and has been nominated three times for a GRAMMY Music Educator Award and has also been selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar Teacher of Recognition.
Mark Your Calendar
Get ready to support the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra during The Great Give!
For over 50 years, the WSO has brought beautiful music, inspiring performances, and community connection to life — and with your help,
we’ll keep the music playing for generations to come.
The Great Give Is Almost Here – Help Keep the Music Alive!
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The Wallingford Symphony Orchestra is proud to participate in The Great Give 2025, a 36-hour online giving event supporting nonprofits across our region.
From 8:00 AM on Wednesday, May 7 through 8:00 PM on Thursday, May 8, we invite you to join us in celebrating and sustaining the power of live orchestral music right here in Wallingford.
For over 50 years, the WSO has brought world-class performances, community concerts, and music education programs to life — but we can’t do it without you.
Your donation during The Great Give directly supports:
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Professional musicians and guest artists
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Free and low-cost performances for the community
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Music education and youth engagement
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Our ongoing mission to make music accessible to all
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​Every gift makes a difference!
Golden Sounds - A Magical Night
Wallingford Symphony’s 50th Anniversary
Pre-Concert Celebration
with Music, Drinks, Hors d’Oeuvres
Followed by the WSO Concert
Saturday, April 26, 2025
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Ann & George Colony Hall at Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street, Wallingford, CT 06492
Shuttle Service Available
Complimentary shuttle buses will run between the parking lot and Colony Hall before and after the event for your convenience.
Golden Sounds - A Magical Night
Saturday, April 26, 2025
5:00 - 9:00 PM
Ann & George Colony Hall at Choate Rosemary Hall
333 Christian Street, Wallingford, CT 06492
Shuttle Service Available
Complimentary shuttle buses will run between the parking lots
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and Colony Hall before and after the event for your convenience
Support the Magic of Music with WSO!
This Giving Tuesday, join us in celebrating the power of music to inspire, unite, and uplift our community.
Your generous support enables the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra to continue delivering exceptional performances, nurturing young talent, and enriching the cultural life of our region.
Every contribution helps sustain our mission to bring the magic of music to audiences of all ages. Together, we can ensure the music plays on for generations to come.
Make a difference today by donating and becoming a vital part of our musical journey.
For 50 years, the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra has enriched the Wallingford community by bringing people together through the universal language of music.
Our performances inspire creativity, foster cultural pride, and provide a shared space for connection and joy.
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By supporting the WSO, you help ensure the continued growth of the arts in our town, provide educational opportunities for students, create memorable experiences for families, and strengthen the cultural heartbeat of Wallingford.
How to Vote for WSO:
Click on the Vote Now button.
Scroll down to the last entry featuring
the WSO logo.
Click Vote.
Fill out your name and email.
Submit and repeat to show your support—
vote as many times as you like!
Just remember to open the link again
in a new window each time.
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Hit submit and help us win!
Vote for the WSO and keep the gift of music alive in our community!
Vote until 12/20/2024 @5:00 PM Eastern