Honoring the Memory & Legacy

WILLIAM HUDSON

Much-loved Maestro for 36 Years

The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) mourns the loss of, and honors, former longtime and legendary conductor, William Hudson. Mr. Hudson served as Music Director and Conductor of the Fairfax Symphony from 1971 to 2007 and was instrumental in the organization’s significant growth. Now celebrating its 65th anniversary season, the FSO holds the reputation as one of the finest regional orchestras in the country.

In 2007 during the FSO’s 50th Anniversary year, Mr. Hudson wrote about what stood out to him as he looked back at his 35-year tenure.

“Maestro Bill Hudson was a great musician, who never tried to be bigger than the music he interpreted. I learned something, not only about music, but about life, every time we spoke. I still miss his signature ‘hop’ onto the podium to conduct the Fairfax Symphony!” —Jose (Pepe) Figueroa, FSO Board Chairman and Founder & CEO of Priority One Services, Inc.

"I and everyone connected with the FSO are saddened by the recent news of the death of Bill Hudson. Maestro Hudson’s 36 years as Music Director of the FSO is an astonishing legacy and commitment by any standard, and what Mr. Hudson achieved was immense; namely, building an orchestra from extremely modest beginnings into one of the highest quality regional orchestras in the country. We are all grateful to have been the recipients of the Maestro's accomplishments; I personally feel very fortunate to have been chosen to lead an orchestra which he had left in such fine shape." —Christopher Zimmerman, FSO music director and conductor.

1957 — FSO FROM THE BEGINNING

The Fairfax Symphony was founded in 1957 by violinist Dorothy Farnham Feuer, with support from the Fairfax Women’s Club and then Fairfax High School Band Director, Phil Fuller to create the nucleus of FSO musicians formed by area Fairfax County music teachers. The first performance of the small group of then talented and dedicated amateur musicians took place in November at Fairfax High School. The Dorothy Farnham Strings Scholarship has supported music education for high school violin students. Harvey Krasney was co-founder of the FSO and served as conductor until Maestro Hudson’s arrival. Pictured are Dorothy Feuer and Harvey Krasney.

William Hudson lived in Fairfax County for many years. He moved to Vienna, VA in 1987 and held degrees from the Philadelphia Conservatory, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. He joined the faculty of University of Maryland in 1970 and was conductor of the orchestra and the opera and head of the graduate orchestral conducting program, when the FSO invited him to guest conduct a concert on the 1970-71 season. He was named FSO Music Director in 1971. He first began auditioning players, which he wrote, “was a crucial turning point” for the organization. Under Maestro Hudson’s baton for more than three decades, the FSO would grow into one of Fairfax County’s and the region’s cultural icons.

In 1971, the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap were just opening. With Hudson at the podium, the orchestra began performing at both venues. One concert at Wolf Trap with Ella Fitzgerald stands out as one of Hudson’s “most memorable occasions” of his tenure with the FSO.

Under Hudson’s leadership, the Fairfax Symphony mission expanded, and a tradition of excellence began. He began to develop the FSO—holding annual musician auditions, programming more difficult repertoire, and hiring guest soloists of national and international stature.

Pictured above, internationally renowned cellist Zuill Bailey (and then, our 1987 FSO Feuer Scholarship winner) returns in May 2023 for our 65th Anniversary season finale to perform Dvorak’s Cello Concerto.

SERVING OUR SCHOOLS THROUGH MUSIC

Longtime Orchestra member and then violist Lisa Baltzer said of Hudson’s changes, “I well remember the challenge – and a sense of accomplishment – of our first performance of Stravinsky’s Firebird, Strauss’ Til Eulenspiegel, and Mahler’s first symphony.”

In 1973, the orchestra’s first educational program launched in partnership with Fairfax County Public Schools. In 1977, the orchestra doubled in size to a total of 110 musicians. In 1990, the FSO moved its performances to the new Center for the Arts at George Mason University, with the support of philanthropist Virginia E. (Jinx) Hazel, married to lawyer and developer, the late John (Til) Hazel. According to Mr. Hazel, from her first association with the FSO, Jinx developed a passion for the symphony and other cultural opportunities emerging in the area. Our partnership with FCPS and schools across our region continues today as we work together with teachers to serve thousands of students each year.

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE

Maestro Hudson always strove for the highest level of playing possible. Under his tenure, the orchestra grew in prominence and skill as a professional orchestra performing with notable guest conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Peter Matz, Doc Severinsen, Paul Hill, and Donald Pippin, and more, plus guest soloists Jean-Pierre Rampal, Jorge Bolet, Ella Fitzgerald, Daniel Heifetz, Leonard Pennario, Peter Serkin, Janos Starker, Ronnie Wells and the Roy Ellison Trio, and many more.

For questions, please contact us at info@fairfaxsymphony.org