Phoenix Symphony is born
A group of music lovers forms the Phoenix Symphony. On July 3, a 22-member committee appoints John Barnett, then director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as the Phoenix Symphony’s first conductor, after interviewing more than 20 applicants. Barnett has to bring over several musicians from Los Angeles in order to fill out the 77-member orchestra.
On Nov. 10, the Phoenix Symphony performs its inaugural concert at the Phoenix Union High School auditorium. For the first two years, Barnett and several musicians continue to commute between Phoenix and Los Angeles.
