Our History
The Kings Symphony Orchestra was initiated by Mr. Van Lowe, a Hanford businessman with a love for classical music. One day while he was cleaning one of his businesses, a laundromat, he overheard two ladies speaking with a British accent. He discovered that the ladies were originally from England and that the husband of one of them, Mr. Hutchinson, had been a bandmaster in England. Through contacts in the Kings County Office of Education and the City of Hanford, the orchestra was formed and then incorporated in 1963.
The orchestra has grown in size and includes musicians from Kings, Tulare, Merced and Kern counties. Over the years the orchestra has developed a high level of musicianship due to the skills of the orchestra members and the guest soloists under the guidance of talented conductors such as Dr. Colleen Snyder, Leonard Ingrande, Tom Fritz, Mr. Tom Chesnut, and Tyler Fritz.
Kings Symphony Orchestra Board
Emily L. Navarre, President
Jacqueline Giacomazzi, Vice President
Ann Helgerman, Treasurer
Anne C. McGarity, Secretary
Phyllis Gaines, President Emerita
Bill and Margaret Blanken, Jeff Fritz (ex officio), Joan Little, Hugh Munro Neely (at large), Michael Porter
Kings Symphony Orchestra Staff
Jeff Fritz, Music Director and Conductor
Our Sponsors
Our sponsors have awarded us grants or have made significant in-kind contributions. The Kings Symphony truly appreciates their support!
Crossroads Appliance
Hanford Rotary
Hanford Parks and Recreation
Hanford Fox Theatre/Humason Family
SaveMart Cares Foundation
Our Partners
We’re proud to partner with local businesses to highlight their contributions to the community in which we live. Please contact us for consideration.