For over 34 years New York Scandia Symphony (Scandia) has delighted and educated audiences with imaginative and creative programs, attracting and gathering audiences from a very diverse and multicultural population of New York City.
Acknowledged for its warm and vibrant tone, lovely clarity of expressive detail as well as interesting and exciting programs, the Scandia Symphony has a valuable mission as well: With a sincere commitment to the music of Classical, Romantic and Contemporary Scandinavian composers, the Scandia Symphony introduces previously unknown and seldom performed compositions to American audiences. With much of its repertoire presented at US premieres, the orchestra revives and preserves the works of significant classical composers, which might not otherwise have been brought to the attention and availability of the public or become an integrated part of cultural life in New York City. Concert venues include Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, Symphony Space on Broadway & 95th Street, Victor Borge Hall in Scandinavia House, Billings Lawn in Fort Tryon Park, and 18 years of performances in New York’s beautiful landmark, Trinity Church in lower Manhattan. Scandia ensembles are actively performing and involved at many centers in our community and at private events. We collaborate with a number of other organizations and partners in the areas around our concert venues and enlist the support and resources of both government officials and community leaders.
The Scandia Symphony engages forty-six musicians, all under contract with the musician’s union, Local 802 of AFM. They are selected among the finest in New York City and have faithfully contributed to the consistence and sound development of artistic personnel. The musicians deserve much credit for the critically acclaimed excellence of Scandia’s performances. Music Director, Danish conductor Dorrit Matson, founded the orchestra in 1988. Staff includes a director of development, two administrative assistants and five consultants. The Scandia Symphony has recorded four compact discs, all released on Centaur Records. The CD recordings are often heard on local and national radio stations and constitute the ultimate preservation of the Scandinavian music and our cultural heritage.