Early Beginnings

The Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra had its humble beginnings in February of 1952. Sam and Helen Gordon, an East Gloucester couple who were both devoted amateur musicians conceived the idea of a local orchestra, using the talents of local people, to offer Cape Ann "the music you love by the people you know.”

Beginning as a volunteer group, thirty or so individuals pooled their collective talents, serving not only as musicians but as a board of officers as well. Calling themselves the “Gloucester Civic Symphony Orchestra” the Orchestra was ready on July 10th to delight some 800 concert-goers in the high school auditorium with a presentation of Beethoven’s First Symphony.


Sam Gordon
Over the 28 years Sam Gordon presided over what had soon become known as the Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, performances were free to the public. Any expenses not covered by Sam's constant efforts to glean support from friends and local businesses were dealt with, literally, by Sam himself, paying "out of pocket."

Helen Gordon
A Changing Vision After Sam’s death, the Board of Directors faced the difficult task of dealing with the changing needs of the Cape Ann Symphony. New by-laws were adopted in December of 1980, stating that a professional conductor, printing, music, hall rental, insurance postage, soloists, and additional instrumentalists would all be paid for as they were in other community orchestras by charging admission to performances. The Cape Ann Symphony in a few years would become a nearly all-professional orchestra, with a performance level the rival of any regional Symphony in the country.

A young David Benjamin, who had been playing clarinet for the Orchestra since the age of fifteen, had left Gloucester to attend college at the University of Lowell where he earned his degree in music. He then played in the Air Force Band while doing his military service. Never cutting ties with the Cape Ann Symphony, he always took the opportunity to sit in with the orchestra when home on leave. Following his return to Gloucester to accept a position teaching music in the public school system, David Benjamin was the logical choice to succeed Sam Gordon in the role of Manager; and he continues to serve the Orchestra to this day.

By the 1980’s, the Cape Ann Symphony was offering a subscription series to include four concerts a year, each played on Saturday evening and again on Sunday afternoon. It became the goal of the Orchestra to offer exciting, joyful music, appealing to all ages, including beloved classic repertoire, but also often experimenting with different genres of music.

Dine-A-Round and Pops:
Dinners, Elvis, and Fireworks
Among its many fund-raising activities, dedicated to continuing the employment of musicians, soloists, and music directors of the first caliber, the Board of Directors organized their popular the "Dine-A-Round" program. With the purchase of a year’s subscription, concertgoers receive an exciting mailing of party offerings, taking place in homes, gardens, even on boats, with all proceeds to benefit the Symphony. Recently, the committee decided to change the format to larger "Symphony Celebrations" such as the season kick-off Gala in 2007.

In the 1990’s, the concept of summer Pops concerts was tried. An offering of light music combined with pre-concert parties seemed to delight area audiences. Not part of the annual subscription, the Pops concerts presented a unique opportunity to vary the usual musica1 menu, and they had to support themselves financially. Themes like Elvis and the 1950’s arose, often attracting new and different audiences. However, it was when the Symphony created an outdoors concert at Tablet Rock in Stage Fort Park as part of Gloucester’s 375th Anniversary Celebration, with the added thrill of fireworks following, that the free Pops Concerts won the heart of the City. A shortage of city funds and corporate donations over the last few years has forced the hard decision to suspend these popular events. However, the Symphony Board hopes to revive them in the near future.

In the year 2001-02, the Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 50th Anniversary. One wonders if, when Sam and Helen Gordon sat around their fireplace on Eastern Point in 1952 pondering the possibility of an orchestra that belonged to Cape Ann alone, they had any idea of the strength and vitality of the marvelous orchestra we all enjoy today.

Under the guidance of a distinguished and devoted line of Artistic Directors, from Bertram Whitman, John Murray and Armand Vorce at the Symphony’s inception, through Royston Nash and Kay George Roberts in the 1980’s and Richard Vanstone for nearly a decade in the 1990’s, to our current conductor, Yoichi Udagawa who guided the Symphony through the celebration of its 50th Anniversary to standing ovations in performance after performance, the Orchestra continues to evolve and grow in artistic stature.

Cultural Growth and a Joyous Future

A vital in-school program is currently being organized in conjunction with the Gloucester School system, featuring the Music Director, soloists and orchestra players. This is just one of the many activities the Cape Ann Symphony is initiating as it enters its second half-century, seeking to become an important year-round contributor to the cultural life and growth of the Cape Ann Community.

Thousands of people from all walks of life over its history have contributed their talents, time and love to produce the total package of what we all enjoy in Cape Ann Symphony today. The financial and audience support of the Cape Ann Symphony has never been stronger, and the future looks exciting and bright for this superb artistic organization which has never faltered in its dedication to the joy of music.

Historical notes by Luis Molina,
edited by Symphony Historian Susan Emerson
and Richard Earle.