| Symphony of the New World | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
 Benjamin Steinberg conducting the premiere concert of the orchestra at Carnegie Hall on May 6, 1965 | |
| Founded | 1965 |
| Disbanded | 1978 |
| Location | New York City |
| Principal conductor | Benjamin Steinberg |
The Symphony of the New World was a symphony orchestra based in New York City. It was the first racially integrated orchestra in the United States. The Symphony gave its debut concert on 6 May 1965 at Carnegie Hall, conducted by Benjamin Steinberg, who said of the orchestra: "We have a lot of talent in this city, and we have to create the opportunities to present it to the public".[1]
The symphony's musicians were graduates of music schools such as 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.[1] Ebony magazine pronounced it, "for both artistic and sociological reasons, a major development in the musical history of the United States".[1]
Steinberg continued as music director and conductor until 12 December 1971, when a dispute between him and some of the orchestra's members resulted in his resignation backstage shortly before the start in order for the concert to continue under his baton. Financial difficulties, caused by the general economic situation and by a delay in receiving $100,000 of scheduled grants led to the rest of the 1971–72 concert season being cancelled. The Symphony gave its last concert on Sunday, 9 April 1978.
- ^ a b c "Manhattan orchestra provides training for talented of all races". Ebony magazine. Vol. 22, No. 1 (November, 1966). Johnson. November 1966. pp. 36–40. Retrieved 2009-07-20.