The Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra is a brand-new musical organization—sort of. “We joke that we’re a 90-year-old startup,” says Rachel Crozier, executive director and a violinist in the group. Formerly the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the orchestra changed its name and parted ways with its management of 20+ years, The Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, in February. “We are now self-managed, with orchestra members holding some of the administrative and board positions,” Crozier explains. It’s a major shift, but one the ensemble hopes will allow it to build on its history while charting a course for a successful future.
That history is rich indeed. The organization began as the Dutchess County Philharmonic Orchestra in 1932, when four Poughkeepsie businessmen formed a larger group of classical music players. Only some were professionals; the rest were amateurs or high schoolers, all led by a conductor who was also a member. Twenty-five years later, in the late 1950s, third conductor Claude Monteux oversaw the ensemble’s reinvention as the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Society, Inc., and transformed it into an all-professional ensemble. By the 1990s the orchestra not only performed classical concerts, but also backed up big-name artists, including The Who and Kenny Loggins, during live concerts.
In the late 1990s, however, after a business deal fell through, the orchestra declared bankruptcy, and The Bardavon took the group under its umbrella. “But producing an orchestra is a lot of work,” Crozier says. Gradually, the opera house decreased the number of performances, including young people’s concerts and in-school appearances. “Their last contract offer was for only three concerts total a year, and no young people’s concerts,” Crozier shares. Members decided they could do better on their own. After sitting out last season, they returned in May with an inaugural performance.
The current season began on October 20 with an opening gala concert at the Paramount Theater in Middletown. Internationally acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham took the stage, and the program featured works by artists including Mozart and Stravinsky. Five more events are slated throughout the year, among them holiday performances of Handel’s Messiah in mid-December and a night of Broadway hits starring Hugh Panaro—who logged over 2,000 performances as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera—in February 2025.
Along with changes in the orchestra management, the players also have new Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor André Raphel, who previously served as music director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra in Wheeling, West Virginia. In addition to the musical aspects of the Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra, Raphel is immersed in its logistics, from determining guest artists to finding venues. Admittedly, it’s a challenge, but one that excites him. “I think there’s a great deal of potential for growth for the orchestra, and I think we can reach many people through the music, but it’s going to take charting the right course for that growth,” he shares.
One thing we all have in common is the drive to keep the orchestra going. We’re committed to our mission.
The orchestra members believe they’re on such a path. “One thing we all have in common is the drive to keep the orchestra going. We’re just so committed to our mission of reaching our community, being involved, and supporting the educational side as well,” Crozier says. It’s no coincidence that this year’s theme for the group is “A Season of Renewal.” The orchestra is enjoying just that.
For more information about the orchestra and its performance schedule, visit hudsonvalleysymphony.org.
