Founded in 1962 by music teacher Cliff Berge, the Juneau Symphony began as a community orchestra with a volunteer conductor and players. In 40 seasons of bringing live orchestral music to Alaska’s capital city, the Juneau Symphony now boasts over 80 semi-professional and volunteer musicians, many of whom hold advanced degrees in music performance. Most live in Juneau or Southeast Alaska with a few additional players brought in to assist as required. Berge and other volunteers conducted the Symphony for its first 20 years by which time the Symphony had grown to require a professional conductor. Mel Flood was hired and he led the Symphony for the next 17 years. Flood stepped down in 1999, and after a lengthy search, Kyle Wiley Pickett was chosen to lead the Symphony into the future. The mission of the Juneau Symphony is to give local musicians a platform to perform and develop musically, to provide live symphonic music for the community, and to offer musical opportunities and support for youth. In addition to three main stage concerts each year, the Symphony also performs a summer pops concert and an annual Showcase concert featuring individual players and small ensembles. The Symphony also holds a concert for Juneau school children each year and sponsors a youth concerto competition. Governed by a volunteer board, the Symphony employs a part-time administrator to oversee daily operations.