ABOUT THE NSSO
The North Shore Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) was founded in 1961 by conductor Dr. Charles Gouse as “The Community Orchestra” under the sponsorship of the Hicksville Public Schools’ Continuing Education Program. In 1979, the orchestra took up residence at North Shore High School, where it adopted its present name. A move followed in 2004 to Plainview–Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School, and the NSSO now rehearses at Huntington High School.

Peter Aaronson conducted the orchestra from 1984 to 1989, after which long-time concertmaster Dwight Dyer organized a season of guest conductors. From that group, Susan Deaver was appointed Music Director and Conductor in 1990. Under her 25 years of musical leadership, the NSSO thrived and was re-established as one of Long Island’s finest community orchestras.

In 2018, Harry Marenstein was appointed Music Director and Conductor. Since then, he has guided the orchestra through the challenges of the COVID years and into its new home at the Performing Arts Center at Adelphi University, where the NSSO continues to grow and flourish.

The North Shore Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) has long provided opportunities for individuals of all ages and professions to share and engage in their passion for music. Each season, the orchestra presents four concerts featuring standard classical repertoire alongside newly commissioned contemporary works and showcases outstanding soloists, many of whom have established or gone on to build professional careers on the national and international stage.

During her tenure, Music Director Susan Deaver launched several important initiatives that continue to enrich the NSSO’s legacy. In 1993, she founded the Young Artist Award Competition, recognizing exceptional local high school musicians. In 2008, she created the Artist-in-Residence position, bringing top-caliber professional musicians to serve as concertmaster and mentor, broadening the orchestra’s creative and musical experience while enhancing educational outreach across Long Island school districts. More recently, the orchestra established the Long Island Music Educator’s Performance Prize, honoring outstanding local music educators by providing them the opportunity to appear as featured soloists with the orchestra, highlighting the vital role teachers play in inspiring the next generation of musicians.

The NSSO is supported by the Friends of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization registered with the IRS and the New York State Charities Bureau. All contributions are tax-deductible and directly support the orchestra’s mission of inspiring, educating, and connecting our community through music.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the North Shore Symphony Orchestra is to present professional quality concerts performed by local musicians; to maintain and foster an interest in and enjoyment of classical music for audience and musicians alike; and to be an affordable cultural resource for the Long Island community.