The Symphony of the New World
*The Symphony of the New World's first concert was on this date in 1965. It was the first racially integrated orchestra in the United States.
They were a symphony orchestra based in New York City. They gave their debut concert at Carnegie Hall, conducted by Benjamin Steinberg, who told the orchestra: "We have a lot of talent in this city, and we have to create the opportunities to present it to the public." The Symphony's musicians were graduates of Juilliard, Eastman School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, and the New England Conservatory. Its performances were broadcast on the Voice of America and Armed Forces Radio to audiences worldwide.
Ebony magazine pronounced it "for artistic and sociological reasons, a major development in the musical history of the United States." Steinberg continued as music director and conductor until December 1971, when a dispute between him and some of the orchestra's members resulted in his resignation backstage shortly before the start of the concert to continue under his baton. Financial difficulties caused by the general economic situation and a delay in receiving $100,000 of scheduled grants led to the cancellation of the 1971–72 concert season. The Symphony gave its last concert on April 9, 1978.
