In the summer of 1984, there was much excitement in the air for the arts in Santa Fe.  The Desert Chorale was in its second season, the New Mexico Repertory Theater had opened to much fanfare, and BATI (British American Theater Institute) was going strong at Greer Garson.  In the music world, however, it appeared that symphonic music was no longer going to be produced in Santa Fe.  Encouraged by the energy of these youthful arts groups, a committee of musicians spearheaded by Greg Heltman and including Artemus Edwards, Elena Sopoci, Joan Zucker and Robert Wingert, gathered to consider ideas to keep symphonic music in Santa Fe. 

To that end, in August of 1984, Greg Heltman brought together additional friends and colleagues to perform a free public concert that would showcase the wonderful talents of our northern New Mexico Musicians and express a heartfelt statement of the importance of a resident orchestra in Santa Fe.  The concert took place on September 2nd to a standing room only audience at St. Francis Auditorium. The program included a Rossini overture, Handel’s Water Music, a Corelli Concerto grosso performed without a conductor, and the heroic Beethoven Symphony No. 2.

The audience response to the first half of the concert was overwhelming, and thus, following intermission, it was announced that the orchestra would continue and be known as The Santa Fe Chamber Symphony.  The announcement was met with thunderous applause–a fitting inspiration for the concluding work of the afternoon, the Beethoven symphony.

Although no tickets were sold, free-will offerings were accepted to defray the costs of the performance (the musicians, it must be noted, completely donated their services), raising $1,800!  No one could have guessed how much money might come in, and to the founding board of directors, this amount was a windfall.

Combined with other contributions that arrived by mail, this initial show of community support became the stake hold upon which the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus was founded.

	Today, as a result of the continuing dedication of instrumentalists and choristers, the unflagging efforts of dozens of Board members past and present, and our loyal donors, audiences and volunteers, our budget has increased to approximately $900,000,
supporting a fully professional organization and Santa Fe’s only full symphony orchestra and chorus.  Thank you for helping us keep great orchestral music alive in Santa Fe.