The Symphony of the Hills (SOH) brings superb classical orchestral music to  audiences in the Hill Country of Texas. Based at Schreiner University in Kerrville, the orchestra comprises students and faculty from the University, students from communities around Kerrville, and experienced professional musicians from the Hill Country and nearby cities, such as San Antonio and Austin.

The 2007-2008 Season marked the beginning of two performances for each concert--one on Thursday at 7:30 pm and the other on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 pm

The Symphony of the Hills Association is a non-profit Texas corporation with a two-fold mission: Bringing superb classical music to audiences in the Hill Country of Texas and improving the musical skills of its instrumentalists, especially Schreiner University students.

It is the conviction of the Officers and Directors of the Association, and of the conductor and musicians of the orchestra, that the orchestra performs a valuable  service through providing fine music to area residents, thus enhancing the quality of life to all who embrace classical symphonic music.

History of the Orchestra¹:

The SOH is an outgrowth of a community orchestra begun in the late-1990s by retired Schreiner University professor Dr. Charlotte Marrow. The original volunteer orchestra presented two concerts a year. In appreciation for her vision and efforts, in 2000 the SOH board named her to the honorary post of Conductor Emeritus.

In 2001, under the leadership of Dr. Tim Summerlin, President of Schreiner University, the orchestra was reorganized into a professional group with a separate board of directors comprising various community leaders. The Symphony of the Hills Association was born.  Joe Herring, Jr. was one of the founding board members and later served as President of the Association.  The original board voted to establish a four concert season, charge admission to the concerts and pay the musicians. This certainly set the bar much higher than it had been previously, since paying audiences expect professional performances and musicians who are paid for their services definitely demonstrate a higher level of commitment to the orchestra.

Concerts in the first two seasons (2001/02 and 2002/03) were held in Dietert Auditorium on the campus of Schreiner University while the community awaited the completion of renovations to the 834-seat Cailloux Theater (click here for additional information.)

Since the 2003 move to the Cailloux Theater, the SOH has had a remarkable success.  The past three seasons have seen sold-out, leading the Board to consider expanding the number of concerts. 

Beginning with 2007/2008 season, the Board chose to double the number of offerings of each concert.  Instead of a single presentation of each concert on Thursday evenings, the orchestra  now is offering an additional presentation of the same concert on Sunday afternoons, thus immediately doubling the number of seats available for each program.  The number of patrons increased to more than 1,200 at the initial two presentations of the 2007-08 season; each subsequent concert has seen an increase in attendance, but there are still seats for students in the area who receive free admission.

1) Jay Dunnahoo Ed.D., 2007.