The Hamden Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer community orchestra of more than 50 members.  The orchestra was founded in 1962 by Ruth Brooks, and provides cultural enrichment to the Hamden and Greater New Haven area. 

Paul Gacek served as Music Director of the Hamden Symphony Orchestra from 1969 to 2007; and now is Music Director Emeritus.  Vesna Mehinovic became the Musical Director in 2008.

The Hamden Symphony Boosters are a group of civic clubs, businesses, and individuals who donate money or services to the HSO in order to make possible its concert series, concerto competitions and symphonic reading sessions. Our $3500 per concert cost is dependent totally on these gifts. Program ads are also available. Donations may also be targeted toward the Ruth Thompson Brooks Scholarship Award presented annually to a qualified young musician.  

The Young Musicians Concerto Competition was started in 1970 with the desire to nurture the special musical gifts of young people in the community. Since then our orchestra has featured these players in one concert each season and we and our audiences have delighted in sharing many fine performances.

As a voluntary community orchestra, we elect our offices.  In recognition of past service, we list the Presidents of the Hamden Symphony Orchestra:
  1961-1962; 1964-1965; 1967-1968; 1973-1974 - Ruth Brooks
  1963 - Bertille Mauri
  1966 - Rudolph Loncke
  1969-1972 - Raili Scimone
  1975 - Joseph Gravante
  1976-1979 - Jan Jekel
  1980-1981 - Robert Mirakian
  1982-1987; 1992-1993 - Stephen Fredericksen
  1987-1989 - Alan Milstone
  1989-1992 - Charlene Morton
  1993-1994 - Sante Graziani
  1994-1995 - Jim Didricksen
  1995-2000 - Lou Fierman
  2000-2008 - Bill Gambardella
  2008 - Mark Kuss