About
Our Mission
The mission of the Magic Valley Symphony is to promote the live performance of beautiful music to enrich the lives of adults and expand the horizons of children. Our musicians are all unpaid volunteers who nurture their talents through rehearsing and performing to exacting standards. We create educational opportunities for students and adult musicians through workshops and scholarships. We make great music accessible and affordable to all people in the Magic Valley. We endeavor to maximize and efficiently utilize the financial resources generously given us to fulfill our mission.
History of the Magic Valley Symphony
The Magic Valley Symphony was born as the Twin Falls Civic Symphony, growing from the nucleus of musicians who played for the first Dilettantes of Magic Valley production, “Carousel,” in March 1959. Starting rehearsals in the fall of 1959, the first performance was on February 1, 1960, in the old O’Leary Junior High Auditorium under the direction of Richard Smith, string teacher for Twin Falls Schools. As we plan our 61st season we recall that the Symphony has been led by only five music directors, each introducing traditions we continue to honor.
Photo courtesy of Kim Critchfield Photography.
• It was 1963 when Del Slaughter became conductor. With his wife, Julienne as concertmistress the Symphony’s two-concert season featured regional soloists. In November of 1969, the Symphony first performed in the new CSI Fine Arts Auditorium and, because so many musicians had joined the Symphony from outside Twin Falls, the name was changed to Magic Valley Symphony.
• CSI music professor Larry Curtis took over the baton in 1975, engaging nationally- and internationally- famous soloists for the November concerts.
• Carson Wong followed as Director of Music and Conductor in 1983. During Maestro Wong’s tenure the Symphony sponsored a composition contest, awarded youth soloist scholarships, and in 1984 began the tradition of the annual spring Pops concert.
• In 1990 Theodore Anchor Hadley was chosen Director of Music/Conductor after a season of guest conductor auditions. During his first year on the podium Maestro Hadley expanded the season to four concerts.
Thanks to strong leadership, generous community partners and tireless volunteers, the Symphony has continued to grow and excel. During his tenure, Maestro Hadley has nurtured musician development and retention, counseled investment in youth programs, and brought professional musicians with local ties back home to perform. The Symphony provides a rewarding opportunity where adult volunteer musicians can pursue their lifetime musical avocations and enjoy the health benefits of continuing to make beautiful music. Magic Valley Symphony is proud to be the acknowledged leader in the music community of southern Idaho, extending beyond the four-concert season with Carma’s Kids, the biennial Youth Soloist Competition, a scholarship program, and support of the Magic Valley Youth Orchestra.
Theodore Anchor Hadley
The Maestro
This is Ted Hadley’s 31st season as the Symphony’s Music Director and Conductor. He shared conducting duties in the 1989-90 season and became the full-time conductor in the 1990-91 season.
Hadley holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Idaho. He retired in 2014 after 40 years of teaching band, orchestra and guitar students at Twin Falls High School, Canyon Ridge High School and Robert Stuart Middle School in Twin Falls. He was director of the Twin Falls Municipal Band for 40 years. He volunteers with the Magic Valley Youth Orchestra and enjoys working with these developing musicians. He also accompanies vocal lessons at CSI. He enjoys playing French horn in the CSI Symphonic Band.
Photo courtesy of Kim Critchfield Photography.
Hadley serves as publications chairman for the Idaho Music Educators Association, for whom he has also served as president. He was honored by that organization as Idaho Music Educator of the Year in 1992. In 1996 he was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Twin Falls Rotary Club and has received the Magic Valley Arts Council Biennial Mayor’s Award for Arts Community Leadership. He was recognized as a Mentor Teacher of the Year by the Boise State University Department of Education. In September of 2012 he was awarded a Governor's Award in the Arts for Support of Arts Education.
Hadley is a member of Gideons International and serves in several capacities with the congregation of Community Christian Church.
Greetings From the Magic Valley Symphony Board
On behalf of the Magic Valley Symphony Board, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you at our performances!
The Symphony is made up of familiar people-- your friends and neighbors-- who come together to make beautiful music. Some of us choose to serve on the Symphony Board and produce our concerts for the enjoyment of everyone in our community.
Our volunteer Board is listed below, and our generous volunteer musicians take the stage, but we could not do this without additional help. We are especially grateful to our small staff: Director of Music Ted Hadley, Publicist Paula Sinclair, Director of Development Amy Toft, Business Manager Nancy Koonce, and Librarian Linda Aufderheide.
We invite you to enjoy a season of wonderful music with the Magic Valley Symphony together with your family and friends!
Kevin Howard, President
Photo courtesy of Kim Critchfield Photography.
Our Board Members
Kevin Howard, President (Viola)
George Halsell, Vice President (French Horn)
Pernecia Heinemann, Secretary (Piano)
Amy Toft, Director of Development
Linda Aufderheide (Clarinet)
Elizabeth Barker (Viola)
Lorna Pringle (Cello)
Ex Officio:
Ted Hadley, Music Director
Nancy Koonce, Business Manager