Over Six Decades of Musical Excellence on Long Island
The North Shore Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) has been a vital cultural cornerstone for Long Island since its inception in 1961. Founded by conductor Dr. Charles Gouse, the ensemble began its journey as “The Community Orchestra” under the sponsorship of the Hicksville Public Schools’ Continuing Education Program.
As the orchestra grew in both size and reputation, it sought a name that reflected its broadening regional impact. In 1979, the orchestra took up residence at North Shore High School and officially adopted its current name: the North Shore Symphony Orchestra.
The NSSO’s artistic growth has been shaped by a series of dedicated musical directors:
1984–1989: Conducted by Peter Aaronson, followed by a dynamic season of guest conductors organized by long-time concertmaster Dwight Dyer.
1990–2015: Susan Deaver was appointed Music Director and Conductor. Under her transformative 25-year tenure, the NSSO thrived, firmly establishing itself as one of Long Island’s premier community orchestras. Dr. Deaver introduced landmark initiatives, including the Young Artist Award Competition (1993) to elevate exceptional high school musicians, and the Artist-in-Residence position (2008) to bring top-tier professional mentorship to the ensemble.
2018–Present: Harry Marenstein assumed leadership as Music Director and Conductor. Maestro Marenstein successfully guided the orchestra through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and ushered in an exciting new era for the organization, including moving the NSSO's performances to the beautiful Performing Arts Center at Adelphi University, and a relationship with Spot-On Entertainment.
A Legacy of Artistic Leadership
Our Modern Era & Mission
Today, the NSSO is proud to rehearse at Huntington High School and perform at its premier, state-of-the-art concert venue: the Performing Arts Center at Adelphi University in Garden City, NY.
Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supported by the Friends of the NSSO, our mission remains steadfast:
To present professional-quality concerts performed by talented local musicians.
To foster a lifelong love and enjoyment of classical music for audiences and performers alike.
To serve as an affordable, accessible cultural resource for the entire Long Island community.
Each season, we proudly bring five major concerts to life, blending timeless standard classical repertoire—from Bach, Beethoven, Sibelius and Stravinsky —with newly commissioned contemporary works and world-class soloists. We also continue to champion local music education through the Long Island Music Educators Performance Prize, celebrating the teachers who inspire our community's next generation of musicians.