MISSION
The mission of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra is to pursue, for all, the transformative power of symphonic music through excellence in live performance and education.

CORE VALUES
Artistic Excellence
Educational Excellence
Leadership
Connections to our Communities
Effective Partnerships
Economic Impact
Organizational Viability & Innovation

HISTORY
The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra’s (TSO) Board of Directors, along with its founding Music Director, Marc-André Bougie, held its first meeting in November 2005 to lay the groundwork for the organization. By January of 2006, the TSO had secured nonprofit status in both Texas and Arkansas. Founding patrons enabled the orchestra to present A Classic Premiere concert on April 4, 2006. This same year, the Junior League of Texarkana chose the TSO as the recipient of its $100,000 80th Anniversary gift to the community. With these funds, the TSO immediately launched outreach and educational programs for area youth.

Community momentum quickly carried our symphony to new heights as the TSO began attracting the highest quality musicians available in its area, from seasoned veterans to young professional. The size of the orchestra increased from a core of 34 assembled for the premiere concert to 60 players at the opening of the first season in September 2006. This inaugural season featured four classical concerts, TSO’s first annual student concert series, and in-school educational programs.

The symphony’s second season (2007-2008) was conceived around the theme of Bringing the World to You. The Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra (TYSO) was formed with its debut concert held in December 2007, and the TSO initiated its first annual community Christmas concert.

Critical to managing the continued growth and expansion of the organization was the employment of TSO’s first Executive Director, R. Andrew Clark, in April 2008. In TSO’s third season (2008-2009), Timeless, a community partnership was initiated creating an annual Black History Month celebration concert. And in its fourth season (2009-2010), Isn’t It Romantic, the TSO presented An Italian Evening, assisting Maestro Bougie in completing commitments of an international performing artist exchange program.

The TSO continues to execute ambitious seasons having just celebrated its fifth anniversary (2010-2011) with “A Symphonic Celebration: 5 Years of Sensational Sounds”. With excellent professional leadership, the Board of Directors’ strong strategic plan for the future, and generous volunteer and donor support, the TSO anticipates an exciting sixth season (2011-2012) as our community continues to Discover Texarkana’s Symphonic Gem. The Texarkana Symphony Orchestra remains our city’s only fully professional performing arts organization dedicated to ensuring that the world’s great symphonic compositions are performed, heard, felt, understood, appreciated and expected  in the Texarkana area -  and that they endure as a relevant and valued part of the daily lives of our citizens, today and for future generations.