The Traverse City Philharmonic (TC Phil), was previously the Traverse Symphony Orchestra (TSO) from the 1980s until early 2024. The orchestra was founded in 1952 by community leader Elnora Milliken as The Northwestern Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and has grown from a small group of volunteer musicians to a paid professional orchestra of 60+ contracted members, with a commitment to presenting the finest in musical entertainment and quality educational programs.
In September 2001, we welcomed Music Director Kevin Rhodes, whose tenure has brought forward challenging repertoire, substantial musician pay increases, increasing use of high-quality players from throughout the state, and a heralded growth in artistic quality. While supporting a strong core of professional musicians as a regional artistic resource, the Philharmonic also provides audiences with the opportunity to hear quality guest artists from the national and international concert circuit.
The TC Phil has matured through the years, bringing about much change and growth, including a full-time professional staff, in addition to part-time staff, an active board of directors, and a thriving group of volunteers. The TC Phil, considered the premier performing ensemble in the northern Michigan area, is a non-profit organization supported by the community through ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorship, and grants.
In September 2024, we opened the doors of the Traverse City Philharmonic Center, the organization’s first physical location to house all operations, expand community outreach and educational programming, and establish the Community Music School to serve a five-county region. The organization was able to repurpose a neglected building in the Cherryland Center, in a conveniently located business district, which was especially meaningful for the community. In its first year, Fall 2024 enrollment alone was double the number of students from the year prior, and the Community Music School has continued to grow in the seasons since.
The Traverse City Philharmonic is one of the many cultural assets that helps northern Michigan attract tourists, other artists, new residents and new businesses to Traverse City – an area known nationwide not only for its great beauty but also for its strong commitment to the arts.
We are now entering the 74th season of the Traverse City Philharmonic, artistically and fiscally strong. The staff and board of directors of the TC Phil are in the process of developing a long term strategic plan to identify the goals and direction of the organization moving forward.
Auditions
To inquire about being added to our list of substitute musicians, contact Angela Lickiss Aleo at aaleo@tcphil.org.