It is the mission of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra to bring the highest level of symphonic orchestral music to the region through exceptional performances, innovative educational programs, and a commitment to integrating the arts into the life of the community.

Atlantic Symphony Orchestra also serves to encourage the development of superb orchestral musicians, by providing a wide range of performance opportunities within a challenging yet nurturing musical environment.

Atlantic Symphony Orchestra is proud to celebrate its eleventh anniversary this season, and its first under its new name. With eleven years of leadership by Music Director Jin Kim, Atlantic Symphony has become one of the leading regional professional orchestras in New England. The orchestra consistently receives enthusiastic reviews from critics and audiences for its dynamic and inspiring performances.

With deep roots in the South Shore, this orchestra has had a long and distinguished history as one of the oldest community orchestras in the Boston area. In 1945, a quartet of musicians in Hingham, Massachusetts formed the Hingham Civic Orchestra to provide opportunities for amateur musicians to rehearse and perform symphonic repertoire. For over 50 years, the Hingham Civic Orchestra staged performances ranging from regular subscription programs to children's concerts, operas, choral-orchestral concerts, and even ballet productions.

In 1996, the orchestra made the decision to re-evaluate its mission. As a result, the Hingham Civic Orchestra was reborn as the Hingham Symphony Orchestra, with the vision of becoming an orchestra with high performance standards and a renewed sense of service to community. In 1997, Jin Kim was appointed as the orchestra's new music director, by unanimous vote of the musicians and the Board of Directors.

In the ensuing years, Jin Kim has earned international recognition as a superb conductor. With HSO's growing reputation for excellence, the orchestra has recruited fine musicians and hosted renowned guest soloists and ensembles.

The orchestra is now composed of seasoned professional musicians and gifted young professional musicians from the world's leading conservatories. The majority of the members have been fellowship students at Tanglewood, Aspen, Schleswig-Holstein, and Pacific Music Festivals. Many HSO musicians have earned positions in top-level orchestras around the world, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Civic Symphony, Orchestre de Paris, Israel Philharmonic, Boston Pops, and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Much of the orchestra's success can be attributed to artistic and organizational vision and leadership. The number of performances per season has increased from four to twelve or more, played in venues from Boston to Duxbury, and audiences have responded with enthusiasm. Programming has expanded to include a concerto competition, composer-in-residence, an interactive series of KidsConcerts for families, the Chamber Players, Chamber Singers, an annual summer outdoor chamber music concert and a chamber recital series that includes "Uncorked" solo performances. World-class soloists and ensembles perform as guests with the orchestra. The orchestra performs benefit concerts for other community organizations, partners with other arts organizations to strengthen the arts in the region, and provides special performance and educational opportunities for area high school student musicians. Two seasons ago, HSO launched Insights, a popular educational series for adults.

During the 2006/2007 season the orchestra took on the challenge of choosing a new name to reflect its identity as a superb professional orchestra that serves audiences across the South Shore region. After a public process that affirmed the orchestra's vision and mission, the Board of Directors chose the name and tag line of Atlantic Symphony Orchestra: South Shore in concert.

Nurturing the tremendous growth of such an organization requires a substantial commitment of funds and energy. Since 1997, the orchestra's annual budget has increased proportionally to the demand for performances and outreach programs, and the orchestra has successfully funded the ambitious goals it has set for growth. Advisory and support groups such as Fanfare, Corporate Advisory Council, the Trustees and m3 provide valuable expertise and assistance.

We encourage everyone to contribute ideas, time or resources to this exciting challenge. With the support of the entire region, the Atlantic Symphony continues to mature into a dynamic regional resource that brings the very best music to life.