Our History
The Kings Symphony Orchestra’s 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.
The Kings Symphony Orchestra Board
Emily Navarre, President
Jacqueline Giacomazzi, Vice President
Ann Helgerman, Treasurer
Anne C. Harrah, Secretary
Phyllis Gaines, President Emerita
Michelle Burton, Joan Little, Mike Navarre, Louise Silacci
Conductor and Music Director
Jeff Fritz
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