The Santa Fe Community Orchestra provides free musical programs to northern New Mexico audiences. Providing music without charge has been a central principle since the orchestra's inception. The orchestra performs five free concerts in Santa Fe's St. Francis Auditorium each season; lecture demonstrations by Oliver Prezant, Music Director and noted musical educator, with support by the orchestra; three readings of new works by New Mexico composers; and educational programs for students.The orchestra also awards a prize and performance of a new composition for the orchestra. This robust and varied program engages New Mexicans of all ages and interests. And, with the exception of the Music Director, it is carried out by volunteers. Musicians volunteer their services; approximately 60 perform each concert, and some 550 or so have participated over the course of the orchestra's existence. The opportunity to play in a symphony orchestra can be a significant factor in the decision of members of various professions to locate in, or remain in Santa Fe. Nearly half of the orchestra's support comes from private foundations and individual contributions; the other half is equally divided between member contributions and grants from New Mexico Arts and the Santa Fe Arts Commission.
The mission of the SFCO is to provide an opportunity for volunteer musicians to perform free orchestral concerts, to present free educational programs for audiences of all ages, to engage New Mexico musicians as soloists, and to promote composition and performance of works by New Mexico composers.
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