Page 84 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2026 - Online Magazine
P. 84
Local
History
The Sound That
Moved the
South Plains Forward
by Molly Ramirez
His sense of purpose defined selections from Tchaikovsky’s
what came next. In 1946, Lubbock Nutcracker Suite.
was growing quickly. As the city
expanded in population and began In October 1946, the orchestra gave
forming a unique identity, civic its first official performance to an
leaders recognized a gap: access to audience of 1,500. The response was
the performing arts. The idea of a immediate. The Avalanche Journal
symphony orchestra in Lubbock published a review with the quote,
began as a conversation among “We are amazed at the result of only
community leaders and quickly a few months’ rehearsal.”
gained traction among musicians, The “Lubbock Little Symphony”
educators, and arts advocates.
even had a national impact. Arthur
The first symphony organizing Fiedler, conductor of the Boston
meeting took place not in a concert Pops, took the Lubbock Symphony
hall, but in a minister’s study at tradition of performing “The Star-
First United Methodist Church— Spangled Banner” before each
an intimate beginning for what concert back to Boston after guest
would eventually become one of the conducting in Lubbock. Lubbock
William Harrod region’s most enduring institutions. Symphony and the Boston Pops still
Harrod stepped into the role of practice this tradition today.
efore there was a stage, an founding conductor of what was By the 1960s, the orchestra
audience, or an orchestra in then called the “Lubbock Little had attracted other nationally
BLubbock, there was a man. Symphony.” He did so without recognized artists, such as pianist
A man who was willing to work compensation, and with a vision to Van Cliburn, and enjoyed many
without pay, certainty, or precedent. create an orchestra that belonged to sold-out performances. It was a
His name was William “Bill” Aldrich the Lubbock community. defining achievement proving that
Harrod. a symphony in West Texas could
With just $100 in support from the
The recently retired veteran of Parks and Recreation Department, command national attention.
the United States Army Air Force, Harrod began assembling musicians
Bill Harrod, arrived in Lubbock from across the city. Harrod
after World War II. He had actively recruited musicians from
something the city did not yet have: Texas Technological College (now
orchestral experience shaped on an Texas Tech University) and local
international stage. During the war, grade schools. Those relationships
Bill performed in Armed Services created a pipeline of talent that
entertainment units across Europe, continues to shape the Lubbock
bringing music to American and Symphony Orchestra today. The
British troops. For Harrod, the first symphony rehearsal, held
military was not just about service, in June 1946, brought together
it was a place where he found his roughly 35 players. Weeks later,
purpose—Music. an open rehearsal introduced the
ensemble to the public, featuring
84 Lubbock Senior Link
