It all began as an idea. Founding member, Christine Wilde of Morris Plains, was looking for a way to complement and supplement the school music programs of the Lakeland area, which is now known as Morris County. From this idea, the Lakeland Youth Symphony was formed. The orchestra included strings, woodwinds, percussion, brass and even harp!

Conductor:
Jennings Butterfield

Board of Directors:
Kay Zufall - President
Avery Johnson, Vice President

The Lakeland Youth Symphony performed its inaugural concert on Friday May 16, 1958.

At the onset of the 1960s, the Lakeland Youth Symphony was moving into its fourth season and began to grow.

Conductors:
Stanley Opalach (1960 - 1966)
Darlington R. Kulp (1967 - 1977)

Milestones and Events

1961

• First appearance of the Lakeland Youth Symphony logo.
• The Junior String Ensemble was introduced and conducted by William Muller.
• Baroque Ensemble was included.
• Featured overture, The Good Daughter by N. Piccini-Scarmolin.

1964

• Students enroll from many Morris County towns including Dover, Boonton, Hanover, Morristown, Morris Plains, Denville, Sparta and Kinnelon.

1967

• Jennings Butterfield joins the Symphony as Music Director and Conductor.
• The organization has expanded to three orchestras: Junior, Intermediate and Symphony.
• The organization begins to focus on strings.

Long hair, disco, leisure suits, and more growth for the Lakeland Youth Symphony as it celebrates its 20th season during this decade.

Music Directors:
Darlington R. Kulp (1967 - 1977)
Edwin Black (1977)

Milestones and Events

1972

• Lucille Rooker becomes the conductor of the Junior Strings
• Rudolph Gottschalk is President of the Board

1978

• Baroque Ensemble performs at the State Teachers' Convention in Atlantic City

1976

• Edwin Black becomes Senior Conductor
• There are 19 members of the Board
• Funding is received from the NJ Council on the Arts / National Endowment for the Arts

1977

• Jennings Butterfield joins the Symphony as Music Director and Conductor.
• 20th anniversary season

• Edwin Black becomes Music Director

The conservative era of the 1980s marks the 25th anniversary of the Lakeland Youth Symphony and the beginning of many programs and traditions that remain today.

Music Directors:

Milestones and Events:

1980

• First Mall Concert. Baroque Ensemble performs for St. Clare's Hospital Octoberfest benefit at the Rockaway Mall

1982

• Lakeland Youth Symphony celebrates its 25th anniversary
• Miss New Jersey and Lakeland aluma, Debra Eileen Naley, is guest soloist at anniversary gala concert
• Program includes an extensive recap of history written by Lucille Rooker
• Anniversary concert is aired on Channel 3!
• 11 Lakeland students are chosen for the North Jersey Regional Concert
• Debra Seftel joins as Junior strings conductor
• Patricia Gebura is Intermediate strings conductor

1985

• Modified Suzuki strings program is introduced
• Senior Baroque once again performs with wind instruments

1986

• William Workinger becomes Senior Orchestra conductor

1988

• Return of Darlington R. Kulp as Senior conductor for one year