The Rockford Symphony Orchestra is proud to be a leading cultural institution in Northern Illinois, focused on our mission to lead in the creation of vibrant music experiences that enlighten, educate, and entertain. We fulfill this mission through public performances, education programs, and engagement activities. The RSO was founded in 1934 to celebrate Rockford’s centennial anniversary. We officially incorporated in 1943, and over the years, have grown from a community orchestra made up of music-loving amateur musicians to the fully professional ensemble we are today. The RSO is the parent organization of the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra (RSYO), which is the region’s only full orchestra training opportunity for students.

Our first Music Director and Manager, Arthur Zack, led the orchestra for twenty-seven years. During this time, the Rockford Area Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra Guild were established. In 1970, the Board of Directors appointed Crawford Gates as the next music director. He brought renowned guest artists to perform with the orchestra including Van Cliburn, Victor Borge, Phyllis Diller, and Benny Goodman. Upon the retirement of Crawford Gates, the RSO Board named Charles Bornstein as music director in 1986. Bornstein’s intellectual and artistic vision was characteristic of his tenure.

Rockford Symphony Orchestra in the 1983/84 Season at the Midway Theater.

In 1991, the Board named Steven Larsen as the RSO’s fourth music director. During his tenure, Steve expanded the orchestra’s repertoire, attracting musicians of the highest caliber and adding a pops series, outdoor summer performances, and youth concerts. During these years, the RSO hosted notable classical and pops artists such as Peter Schickele, Rick Nielsen, Dionne Warwick, André Watts, Eugene Fodor, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Rachel Barton Pine, Daniel Rodriguez, Stefan Jackiw, and Kristin Chenoweth.

Steve retired in December 2021 after 30 years with the orchestra. The Board appointed him the lifetime title of Music Director Emeritus, the only past director to receive this designation. In recognition of his tenure, the RSO was honored to receive the 2021 Excelsior Award from the Rockford Register Star. The Excelsior Award recognizes an organization driven to excellence in community service and improving lives in the Rockford region.

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra at the Coronado Theatre with Yaniv Attar in the 2023/24 Season.

After an international search, Yaniv Attar was appointed the fifth music director of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in January 2023. With a clear artistic vision and a collaborative spirit, Yaniv continues to shape the RSO’s sound while building meaningful connections with audiences, musicians, and the broader Rockford community. Yaniv’s thoughtful approach to programming brought renewed energy to the concert hall, blending beloved masterworks with contemporary pieces and highlighting underrepresented voices in classical music. His warm and engaging presence has drawn new and returning audiences alike.

The orchestra performs in the Coronado Theatre, originally constructed as a 1927 atmospheric movie palace. This state-of-the-art facility boasts a large stage and orchestra pit, 2,200 seats, and full accessibility for audience members with special needs. The RSO offices are located in Riverfront Museum Park. The RSO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization.