With the appointment of Michael Stern as Music Director in 2019 it became clear that Stamford Symphony was destined for change. This established and respectable regional team had hired a major league coach and it was time for the board and management to step up and give Michael and the Orchestra the resources to be bigger, better, bolder and geographically broader.

Historically Stamford Symphony had always been the "Orchestra of Fairfield County" with 50% of its audience coming from outside Stamford, particularly from Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport. Similarly the majority of donors are spread across the county. Donations continue to be essential to the Orchestra given that ticket sales account for less than one third of its income.

Major donors recognized that the Palace Theatre was the obvious venue for the performances by the full orchestra but observed that visits to schools, places of worship, libraries and malls, outside Stamford were all too rare. With this in mind a major fundraising initiative was established and the Crescendo Fund for the Future of Stamford Symphony was created to add $1m a year to the Orchestra's then budget of $1.5m.

The campaign was a success and some $4m was raised. The Orchestra's annual budget today is $2.3m. This resources coupled with the the leadership of Michael Stern and Russell Jones has enabled significant developments, namely:

• The creation of an Education, Community Engagement and Inclusion department with a full-time staff member, giving dozens of learning opportunities throughout the year
• Invitations to some of the world's greatest musicians to play with us, including Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Pinchas Zukerman and Maria Friedman
• More musicians on stage to enable the programming of major works the Orchestra had not played before
• A new series of Small Space concerts, (chamber music recitals) in venues across the county curated and performed by members of the Orchestra
• Popular programs that attract those who love to hear the flexibility of the Orchestra, be it film music, Broadway, or accompanying viewings of full length movies such as Toy Story

With this re-invention of the Orchestra and recognition that it was now truly representing the whole of Fairfield County it was agreed that the Stamford Symphony brand was no longer applicable. After extensive research and consultation the Orchestra was renamed Orchestra Lumos - illuminating music for Fairfield County, in May 2022.

An orchestra carrying the name Stamford Symphony was originally founded in 1919. Shortly after World War II many of its musicians returned to their European homelands and the Orchestra ceased performing. It reformed as a charitable 501c3 organization in 1967 and rapidly grew to become an integral part of the cultural life in Stamford. Skitch Henderson, the founder of the NY Pops Orchestra, further put the Orchestra on the map with his appointment as Music Director in 1974 which marked the turning point when Stamford Symphony became a fully professional orchestra.

Henderson was succeeded by Roger Nierenberg, Music Director from 1980-2004. He was an influential force in shaping what Orchestra Lumos is today by recruiting top musicians from the New York metro area, he crafted a high quality ensemble of remarkable versatility. Many of Nierenberg's appointments are still loyal and enthusiastic members of the Orchestra today. After 24 years, Nierenberg departed and passed the baton to the young, vibrant and unpretentious East German conductor, Eckart Preu. In his 12 years, his commitment to introducing contemporary classical music in a refreshing, educational manner, and his connection with the audience on and off stage has marked his legacy.

For almost half a century the Orchestra has been administered by just two presidents and CEOs, Barbara Soroca who served for 39 years from 1978-2017, and Russell Jones who joined the Orchestra in 2017 and will conclude his eight years of service in December 2025.

The ongoing development and delivery of the Orchestra Lumos mission will see a new chapter emerge in March 2026 when a Sunday subscription concert will take place at The Quick Center on the campus of Fairfield University. A first step in the possible creation of an eastern home for the Orchestra, and a continued dedication to being the Orchestra for all of Fairfield County.