By Kim Ellet, GSO Development Director
When Dr. Timothy Verville first stepped onto the podium of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra (GSO) ten years ago, he was drawn to two things: the orchestra’s long history and the promise of its community.
“The GSO had already been in the community for over 60 years,” he recalled. “That kind of longevity spoke volumes about its staying power. And when I looked at what the organization was doing—and the opportunities still ahead—it was clear this was a place where music could make a deep impact.”
A decade later, Verville has become the face and heartbeat of the GSO, leading it into its milestone 75th anniversary season while shaping the organization into a cultural force that both entertains and serves.
A Musical Path Less Traveled
Born in western Oklahoma, Verville’s earliest stage was a farm where his family raised and trained show horses. His first encounter with music came through public school, where he discovered not only orchestral playing but an eclectic array of styles.
“I wasn’t on a straight path,” he admitted. “I loved orchestra, but I also played in a strolling strings group, percussion in marching band, and electric bass in whatever we were listening to on the radio—I also took up bluegrass, jazz, reggae. For me, the best way to learn music was always just to play it.”
That restless curiosity eventually led him to conducting. Unusually, Verville landed his first conducting job before formally studying the craft. Three years on the podium convinced him he had found his calling. Since then, he has become both an award-winning conductor and a composer. Last season, the GSO premiered his Requiem Americano, performed with tenor Timothy Miller, the Atlanta Boy Choir, and the GSO Chorus—a work that exemplifies his passion for creating new art alongside established masterpieces.
Music as Public Service
For Verville, an orchestra is more than a concert-giving ensemble—it is a public service. “Education, enrichment, and entertainment,” he said, “that’s how we serve our community.”
That philosophy has guided some of the GSO’s most impactful initiatives, including pioneering sensory-friendly concerts. Designed for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other sensory sensitivities, these performances invite audiences to experience music in a supportive environment.
“It’s about asking who isn’t in the audience or on the stage, and then opening doors,” Verville explained. “For some, music provides a space where they see themselves, where they feel connected and accepted.”
The impact can be immediate—or felt years later. Verville often invokes the image of planting trees whose shade will benefit future generations. “Sometimes you don’t know how a concert will affect someone until much later in their life,” he said.
Moments That Matter
One of Verville’s most vivid memories came early in his GSO tenure, following a concert with the Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs. The program included William Grant Still’s And They Lynched Him On A Tree, performed at the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center.
As the crowd thinned, a Morehouse student approached. He had never been to a symphony before. “He said, ‘I didn’t know it could be like that,’” Verville recalled. “He felt seen—that this was something for him. That’s what you live for as a musician, those moments of connection.”
It’s why Verville makes a point of mingling with audience members after every concert. “It’s my own customer feedback survey,” he joked, “but more importantly, it’s about making sure people know this music belongs to them.”
Investing in the Future
This season, the GSO celebrates not only its 75th anniversary but also the 20th year of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO), one of the largest youth orchestra programs in the Southeast. For Verville, the milestone underscores the importance of investing in the next generation.
“Students today aren’t the same as they were five or ten years ago, so the program has to keep evolving,” he said. “It’s about supplementing school music programs, giving young musicians the hours and experiences they need to grow—not just as performers but as people.”
The results speak for themselves: GYSO seniors earn more than $2 million in scholarships annually, with 99% accepted into college. “Our students gain the skills to succeed in any career they choose—whether as professional musicians, doctors, lawyers, or community leaders. Ultimately, we’re not only creating great music together, we’re helping them grow into better human beings.”
Looking Ahead
As orchestras nationwide grapple with questions of sustainability and relevance, Verville believes the GSO’s adaptability is its strength.
“Our greatest asset is our flexibility,” he said. “We can offer a different perspective on repertoire, bring in new and engaging works, and still honor traditions. And we’re committed to listening to our audience and evolving with them.”
To those who think they know what a symphony orchestra is, he offers a challenge: “Have you actually been to a concert? Come try it. There’s no substitute for the live experience. Everyone feels it differently, and every response is the right one.”
A Season of Celebration
As he marks his tenth year with the GSO baton, Verville is relishing the season ahead. Highlights include guest soprano Indra Thomas in Drama and Destiny: Broadway Meets Opera on October 25, an orchestra and jazz Big Band concert featuring GSO Jazz Director Sam Skelton, the beloved Holiday Pops, and even music from films and video games. The season will culminate in a spectacular 75th Anniversary Grand Finale in May 2026, when the GSO joins forces with the top students of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras for a once-in-a-lifetime side-by-side performance. More than 200 musicians will fill the stage alongside a 200-voice chorus, uniting the GSO Chorus with guest choirs from across the region.
“It’s hard to pick favorites,” he admitted. “It’s like trying to pick your favorite child. Each performance has its own fantastic thing.”
What excites him most, though, is the opportunity to keep connecting—whether with first-time concertgoers, seasoned music lovers, or the students of GYSO.
“Music has the power to bring people together, to help them see themselves and one another in new ways,” he said. “That’s the heart of what we do. And I couldn’t be prouder to be doing it here, with this community, as we celebrate the GSO’s past and look toward its future.”
For tickets, subscriptions, and opportunities to support the GSO’s 75th Anniversary Season, visit georgiasymphony.org.
