Jim Barnes’ First Concert (1949)
David Chapman | May 8, 2026 | history@thso.org
Will Bryant’s resignation in August 1949 surprised the THSOA board, who had never had to replace a conductor before and now faced a host of unanswered questions and unprecedented challenges. Chief among them, surely: would the orchestra survive losing its founder?
They found their new conductor in the viola section.
Portrait of James Barnes, second conductor of the TH(CTC)SO, published in a November 15, 1950, concert program.
James Barnes was a lifelong Hoosier but a recent Hautian, having moved to town one year before to be a music professor at Indiana State. He was a military veteran, a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps until late 1945. He was a family man, married with two young daughters. Although he played viola for the THCTCSO, he was a violinist, primarily, having played for two seasons in the violin section of the Evansville Philharmonic. He was also a former high-school music director and thus proficient at multiple instruments. His orchestras, bands, and choirs had won multiple state-wide and regional honors in competitions. He had recently co-authored an article for The Instrumentalist magazine advocating for the creation of high-school string programs alongside band even in smallest schools. He was ambitious, accomplished… and only 31 years old.
Barnes was no emergency stopgap. He came with fresh energy and big ideas. Announcements about his new position also referred to his plans to start a youth orchestra, his desire to raise the THCTCSO’s reputation and profile in the orchestral world, and his goal of promoting greater “moral and financial backing” from the local community.
“Symphony Rehearses in Preparation for Season with New Conductor”
The new appointment happened quickly. Bryant’s resignation was announced August 18. Barnes appointment was reported September 11. Rehearsals for the new season began October 3. Barnes’ first concert as conductor of the THCTCSO took place on November 22. The following images show the printed program from Barnes’ first concert with the TH(CTC)SO.
I’m curious to know what our community might see in a program like this. What or who stands out to you?
Tell us in the comment section at the very bottom of this page!
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Sources:
James W. Barnes and Justin D. Bradbury, “Music in the Small School,” The Instrumentalist: The Magazine for School Band and Orchestra Directors, vol. III, no. 5 (May-June 1949): pages 1, 38-39.
“Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra Director Appoint by Board,” Terre Haute Tribune, September 11, 1949, page 40.
“Named Director of Symphony Orchestra,” Princeton [Indiana] Daily Clarion, September 16, 1949, page 1.
“Barnes Appointed Director of Terre Haute Symphony,” Evansville Courier and Press, September 17, 1949, page 6.
“Music Director Takes New Post,” Evansville Press, September 17, 1949, page 3.
“Symphony Rehearses in Preparation for Season with New Conductor,” Terre Haute Tribune, October 2, 1949, page 25.
“Civic-College Symphony Orchestra in Rehearsals for Opening Concert,” Terre Haute Star, October 21, 1949, page 36.
“New Symphony Leader,” Terre Haute Tribune, November 13, 1949, page 4.
“Symphony Will Make Its Debut Under Conductor November 22,” Terre Haute Tribune, November 13, 1949, page 28.
“Barnes to Make Debut as Orchestra Conductor,” Princeton Daily Clarion, November 16, 1949, page 5.
“Violinist Stephan Hero Will Open Civic Concert Season Here Tuesday,” Terre Haute Star, November 18, 1949, page 18.
“Violinists of the Week were Students of Maestro Persinger,” Terre Haute Tribune, November 20, 1949, page 25.
“J. Barnes to Conduct Terre Haute Symphony,” Evansville Press, November 20, 1949, page 42.
“Group Hears Barnes Direct Symphony,” Evansville Courier and Press, November 23, 1949, page 12.
“Large Crowd Enjoys Program By T.H. Civic and College Orchestra,” Terre Haute Tribune, November 23, 1949, page 14.
Frederic Black, “College Symphony Opens its Concert Season with Enjoyable Program,” Terre Haute Star, November 23, 1949, page 2.