Conditions in the world of classical music which inspired the founding of Riverside Symphony twenty-five years ago continue to the present day. Declining ticket sales and graying audiences have prompted patchwork solutions that have not only failed to reverse this alarming trend, but have also placed the future of classical music in jeopardy. Seeking to invigorate sagging box office revenues, American orchestras have become increasingly dependent on familiarity and celebrity for survival. The typical symphony orchestra rarely strays beyond a fixed collection of well-known masterpieces, a woefully narrow representation of western music's magnificent legacy. For similar reasons, a handful of superstars are called upon with increasing frequency to woo audiences, a practice which has seriously diminished opportunities for young soloists.

In 1980, two young graduates of The Manhattan School of Music, deeply concerned about the state of orchestral life in this country, set about creating an alternative orchestra. George Rothman and Anthony Korf, who today lead Riverside Symphony as Music Director and Artistic Director respectively, founded the orchestra as a remedy for safe programming and celebrity soloists. From its inception, the Symphony has been committed to presenting a broad range of repertory on every concert, where important new works are performed alongside selections drawn from centuries of wonderful yet less familiar music by the masters. This programming approach, combined with the showcasing of exciting young soloists with major career potential, has proven broadly appealing to both seasoned and fledgling music lovers.

Innovative outreach and educational programs for both children and adults have helped the Symphony reach a broad audience. Notable example of these efforts are the Symphony's Music Memory Program for school-age children and Salon Series for adults.