In 1939, founding conductor Harry Berman gathered a group of 30 advanced amateur musicians for a first rehearsal; they performed their debut concert on April 7, 1941, at Sprague Memorial Hall on the Yale University campus under the name Philharmonic of New Haven, Connecticut. In its early years, the orchestra’s repertoire focused on light classical selections.

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In the 1960s, Gordon Emerson became music director. Over his 40-year tenure, the orchestra expanded its repertoire to include local, state, and world premieres by composers such as Charles Ives and Leonard Bernstein. Under its new name, the Civic Orchestra of New Haven, it began featuring instrumental soloists and local school choruses.

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Christopher James Hisey became music director in the 2000s, broadening the orchestra’s repertoire and leading memorable performances such as Carmina Burana in Norwalk.

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In 2018, rising conductor Kalena Bovell brought fresh vision and artistry to the Civic before departing for a full-time position with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. She was succeeded by Matthew Scinto in 2019, who guided the orchestra through the challenges of the pandemic before taking a faculty role at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

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Interim Director Robert “Bobby” Smith led the ensemble in 2022, followed by Maestro Samuel Hollister for the 2023–2024 season. Nadya Potemkina took the podium as interim conductor for 2024–2025 and began her official tenure as music director in 2025–2026.

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Now in its 86th season, the Civic Orchestra of New Haven continues its proud tradition of community musicianship, artistic excellence, and innovation.