THE FACTS –
The Little Orchestra Society... captivating audiences since 1947
Was named after Felix Mendelssohn's Little Orchestra of London
Is the second oldest professional union orchestra in New York City
Presented the first professional concert for children in New York City in 1948
Has performed annually at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall since its official opening as Philharmonic Hall in 1962
Introduced Lolli-Pops™, New York City's most popular children's concert series for 3 to 5 year olds, in 1986
Began New York City's love affair with Antonio Vivaldi in 1990 with its series, Vivaldi's Venice
Began in 1995 a major concert revival of Victor Herbert's great operettas with the American composer's original orchestrations
Has been in the forefront in championing 20th century composers with its Sound Discoveries™ series at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall
THE NUMBERS –
2 music directors in over 5 decades
3 to 5 year olds represent our youngest audiences at Lolli-Pops™
60 years of captivating concerts for audiences from 3 to 93
300 World, American and New York premieres have been presented
740 acetate recordings of broadcasts from Town Hall are in the New York City Library of the Performing Arts
1,000 public concerts with the wonderful musicians of The Little Orchestra Society, have been performed by its current conductor, Dino Anagnost.
1,000,000 (1 million) enchanted children have been educated and entertained at Happy Concerts for Young People for Young People since its debut in 1948
THE ACCOLADES – MUSIC TO OUR EARS
Received the George Foster Peabody Radio Award for Outstanding Youth and Children's Programming
New York Mayor Edward I. Koch proclaimed October 21, 1987,"The Little Orchestra Society 40th Anniversary Day"
Labeled a 'New York tradition' by ABC Television
Nominated by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for a Grammy Award for Best Album for Children
On October 20, 1997, Mayor Rudolph Guiliani proclaimed “Little Orchestra Day” in New York City.
The Little Orchestra Society's first video, The Orchestra–A Happy Family has garnered a 3 Dove Rating from the Dove Foundation, 3 Omnimedia International Awards, a Telly Award for Children's Programming and a host of other awards and recommendations. (Link to Awards Page)
