Your browser is not supported. For the best experience, use any of these supported browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
Skip to main content
PayPal Preferred Payments Partner
Alabama Symphony Orchestra

Classical

Alabama Symphony Orchestra Tickets

go to reviews
Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 33 reviews

Events0 Results

No more results on this page

About

Alabama Symphony Orchestra on Tour

Although it was officially founded in 1933, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra's genesis actually came in 1921, when a 52-member volunteer ensemble got together to perform at the Birmingham Music Festival at the Old Jefferson Theater. It was a rocky road going forward, but the group have consistently been thought of as one of the most exciting orchestras in the Southeast.

In 1933 under the baton of Dorsey Whittington, the ensemble gave their first formal concert to the Birmingham Music Club, and later that year consolidated as the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Within a few years, the group had over 80 players and a budget of almost half a million dollars. They even performed with famed composer and pianist Percy Grainger in 1939. Continually growing, the organization started offering public concerts in Avondale Park on Sunday afternoons. The advent of World War II temporarily halted the orchestra's development, but after the war ended, they started up again when the Civic Symphony Association assembled a task force to revitalize an orchestra for the growing city. Changing its name to the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 1956, the ensemble finally became a fully professional orchestra, even establishing an official youth orchestra. They continued to expand steadily, offering new kinds of concerts and thriving under the leadership of talented and established conductors. In 1966, the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra received a grant from the Ford Foundation for $600,000 on the condition that the group matched that sum; they did, and quickly. 

In 1979, the BSO became the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, starting up a regular subscription series and expanding their audience base. The ASO struggled financially in the ‘80s but managed to stay afloat with help from fundraisers and high-profile concerts: They did a special annual fund concert with esteemed violinist Isaac Stern, they performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and they teamed up with renowned American mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne for a concert at the University of Alabama. They also started a number of new summer series, including Beethoven, Brats and Beer. The orchestra went bankrupt in 1993, and it since has reverted to a volunteer organization. You can catch the Alabama Symphony Orchestra with music director Carlos Izcaray at Samford University Wright Center, UAB's Alys Stephens Center or BJCC Concert Hall in Birmingham, Alabama.

Reviews

Rating: 4.3 out of 5 based on 33 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome Show!

    by Kim1272berly on 3/19/24BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    We went to this show expecting to just hear ASO. Man, we were surprised! Having vocals with ASO was amazing! We are so glad that we attended this show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Perfect combination.

    by Steve on 12/12/23BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    Have not missed an ASO Christmas Concert ever. This one hit all the high notes, so to speak, a perfect mix of orchestra, the ASO choir, and just enough solo performances. It ended way too soon!

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great concert

    by Jim on 12/12/23BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    Great holiday concert with plenty of energy and musical selections. Mistro’s comments are always informative and sometimes comical bringing frequent laughs. The quests were very talented ladies everyone enjoys to see & hear. My only criticism of an otherwise wonderful and most enjoyable evening’s performance was the ongoing terrible parking situation at the Legacy Arena. Adding a ridiculous $20 parking charge makes attending the events out of possibility for many of us on fixed incomes.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Everything about this was great!

    by RS on 12/12/23BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    The program, orchestra, chorus, soloist, storyteller, and conductor were all outstanding. Really put us in the Christmas spirit.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Christmas program

    by Christmas Elf on 12/12/23BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    Excellent Program, which it was longer so more music and songs of the season could be enjoyed.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very nice show!

    by bulljr on 3/22/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    The symphony was outstanding as were the singers and presentation as they actually looked and sounded like the Beatles! I also enjoyed the tribute by the symphony to the Ukrainian people by playing the song by the Ukrainian composer truly beautiful and heart wrenching.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Beautiful theater needs updated sound

    by JMH on 3/21/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    We enjoyed the show, but the symphony sound seemed muted. I was somewhat disappointed with the group performing the Beatles music. It’s just hard to try to imitate such great original singers as the Beatles.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Magical Mystery Tour and ASO

    by Amy on 3/21/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    Wonderful show, wonderful venue, exceptional staff. I’ve never been disappointed at an event at the Alabama Theater.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Wonderful Memories Revisited

    by Nana E on 3/21/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    First of all, this was my first back at the Alabama Theatre in many years. It brought back a lot of memories from my early childhood and teen years. I attended many performances of the Mickey Mouse Club there. That was the first theatre I attended on my first date with my late husband. We were both 15 years old and had to ride the streetcar downtown. I was absolutely thrilled by the Music and the group. The Mysterious Tour band was outstanding in their performance of BEATLES songs. I would go back again to hear them and the Alabama Symphony. There isn't a Symphony any better than the Symphony we have ln Alabama.

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    We did not have great seats , were below the balcony where i

    by S. T. on 3/21/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    The 3 ladies & 1 man in front must have arrived from the favorite drinking hole and walked in with their latest drink. They were always talking and giggling while holding their cell phones up blocking our POOR VIEW, then the young couple

  • Rating: 1 out of 5

    Off Tune Beatles Cover Band

    by Beatles Fan on 3/21/22Alabama Theatre - Birmingham

    Disappointing performance. They attempted to sing many Beatles classics and were way off the mark. The ASO added little to the performance. We left at intermission rather than to be further assaulted.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Very interesting program

    by Becky R. on 12/14/21BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    To tell you the truth, I thought the inclusion of the 'minor' music was challenging my brain to think how the music was 'moving'. The inclusion of "Frozen" music was, for an older adult, was musically accepted for this season of the year, and the music selection of the Nutcracker was beautiful. After years of my daughters involvement with the 'Nutcracker', I had forgotten this section of the suite. This was my daughters favorite part of the suite since she was the 'rat king' in many of her dance company's performan-ces. Very enjoyable evening.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great!

    by Heather on 12/14/21BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    The Symphony Orchestra performance was fantastic! We absolutely enjoyed it. When we purchased tickets online, the event information indicated the performance was from 7-11. So we were wondering if we would stay the full 4 hrs. However, it was only two hours including the intermission. We were guessing that the four hour indicator was likely a deterrent for many given that attendance for the event was disappointing. The house should have been packed! They were wonderful! And we will do it again next year for sure. I would highly recommend that someone ensures the event information is accurate. I think this mistake likely cost someone a lot of money. Most people are not going to spend the money to go sit for 4 hours if they don’t know what to expect. I really believe that if the information had indicated 7-9 as it actually was, there would have been a sold out event. And these performers deserve a packed house.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    What a come back!!

    by LadyB on 12/14/21BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    From the start to the end, what a fantastic show!! I was so happy to finally return to something that seemed almost like normal. The conductor Christopher Confessor lead the event in a light hearted fashion that was enjoyable and put everyone in the Christmas spirit.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Great night with ASO.

    by Fabs on 12/14/21BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    We enjoyed the ASO holiday concert a lot. The conductor was awesome, very convivial with a great sense of humor. The interpretation of holiday classics was unique and the acoustic was awesome. Time flew too fast during this performance. We will go back next year and possibly make it a yearly tradition.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    issues

    by d on 12/14/21BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    this would have been better at alys stephens center

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A great night out

    by Chris on 2/11/19BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    Video games live was a great experience for me and my wife. It was as good as the final fantasy distant world concert we had gone to some 8 yrs ago in Atlanta. Can't wait to go again!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Amazing!

    by J. N. on 2/11/19BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    Absolutely incredible experience. I’ll definitely be going back to the ASO.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Amazing Show!

    by jrjb on 2/19/16BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    I enjoyed the entire show at the BJCC. The first part performed by the ASO was what I expected. I have enjoyed the ASO since I was a child. Their segment was both exciting and soothing. The second portion of the evening featuring The Four Tops was amazing. I have not seen them perform in a few years, so I didn't know exactly what to expect. They were energetic and fun to watch. I found myself singing along with them. I still knew most of the words to their hit recordings. Even though the lead singer was great , I did miss the previous lead singer, Theo Peoples, who performed with them a few years ago.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5

    Great Combo

    by DrDB on 2/16/16BJCC Concert Hall - Birmingham

    My wife & I shared dinner and a concert to celebrate Valentine's Day. We were entertained by The Four Tops, who were backed up by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Together, they sounded fantastic!!! Perhaps I am "old school", but I am still a fan of musical harmony by a group who dresses alike and choreographs their movements.