FEBRUARY 2018 18 | 25 Years ChandleR SymphonY Orchestra When the orchestra conducted by Maestro Jack Herriman at Mesa Community College lost its rehearsal space in 1991, the majority of the group decided to band together, creating the San Marcos Orchestra in 1993. Thirteen years later, the orchestra was renamed the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, partially in an effort to support the Chandler City Council and former mayor Boyd Dunn. Today, the symphony provides several free classical music concerts each year to its 10,000 patrons, thanks to the volunteer time of talented, professionally trained musicians. The symphony’s 25 th season will include six produced symphonic concerts, two chamber music concerts, an annual holiday fundraising concert and a collaboration with Southwest Youth Ballet Theatre to perform live music for “The Nutcracker Ballet.” In addition to providing the community with free musical performances, the symphony aims to cultivate an appreciation of classical music and to educate audiences and future generations. The symphony’s music director is Jack Herriman and the associate conductor is Alex Zheng. There are nearly 100 symphony members performing the violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, horn, harp and more. The symphony primarily performs at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Congratulations to another organization celebrating its silver anniversary: + Free Arts of Arizona The Salvation Army was established in London in 1865 by evangelist William Booth and came to America in 1880 and to Arizona in 1893. Here is a timeline of key events in The Salvation Army’s time in Arizona. 1893 The Salvation Army opens the Phoenix Citadel Corps at The Road to Ruin Saloon (later renamed the “The Road to Heaven”) and also begins work in Tucson and Prescott. 1932 The first Salvation Army Thrift Store in Arizona opens. 1948 The Army partners with food vendors and grocers statewide to gather food and money for Christmas dinner for those in need.

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