Susan and Ashlyn are two of the 50 members who make up the Symphony of Rutherford County—a multi-generational orchestra that has brought local musicians together for 35 years.
A music lover since childhood, Susan began playing piano at age five, then took up clarinet in middle school. After earning her degree as a music education major, she returned home to Rutherford County and joined the symphony in 2002.
Years later, when her daughter Ashlyn joined the middle school orchestra, she chose the same instrument—playing the very clarinet that Susan had once practiced on at home. In eighth grade, Ashlyn took her seat in the Symphony alongside her mother.
“Playing music together is an incredible way to bond as mother and daughter,” Susan said. “We’re thankful the Symphony is in our community so we have this opportunity.”
Generations in Harmony
The Symphony of Rutherford County is a true community orchestra. Middle school students perform alongside seasoned musicians, family members play shoulder to shoulder, and participants travel from neighboring counties to rehearse.
Musicians of all abilities are welcomed, with no audition required. Made up entirely of volunteers, the Symphony presents two concerts each year, as well as free performances for Rutherford County Schools.
For some musicians, the Symphony is an extension of a lifelong passion for music. For others, it’s an opportunity to pick up an instrument they haven’t played in years and rediscover the joy of playing.
For years, the Symphony has met in borrowed spaces, which means setting up instruments and stands prior to rehearsal, then packing everything away again after practice. This arrangement has also limited the orchestra to once weekly rehearsals and made it difficult to expand programming or educational opportunities.
Now, Rutherford County Schools has given the Symphony full access to the band room on the former R-S Middle School campus. Built in 1962, this historic structure reflects the spirit of community and collaboration in Rutherford County.
Once renovations are complete, the facility will provide something the Symphony has never had: a dedicated home. The space will allow for more frequent rehearsals, smaller sectional practices, music workshops, and climate-controlled instrument storage. And with room to grow, the Symphony will continue to define Rutherford County as a center for arts and culture in the region.
A Music Mentor
Matthew Guffey has been part of the Symphony of Rutherford County since it began in 1990. He joined as a teenager, playing clarinet with the orchestra until he went to college.
After earning a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education, Matthew returned to Rutherford County and took his place once again with the ensemble. Over the years, he has played with the Symphony, performed as a guest soloist, and is now its associate conductor.
Matthew shares his love of music with the students of East Middle School in Rutherford County, where he serves as band director and music teacher. He also sees firsthand what the Symphony means to them.
In recent years, more students have become active members of the ensemble. About a dozen high schoolers now participate, and the Symphony has also invited the Crest High String Ensemble to join the orchestra for special concerts.
These young musicians rehearse and perform in a full orchestral setting alongside experienced performers. The experience offers students something that is difficult to replicate inside a classroom: the chance to learn the rhythms of ensemble performance in real time.
As student involvement continues to grow, the Symphony’s new permanent facility will play an important role—giving players a consistent rehearsal space and creating room for educational workshops and sectional practices.
Connected Through Music
Few orchestras reflect their community quite like the Symphony of Rutherford County, where participants range in age from middle school students to seniors. Musicians of all ages share the same stage—and each has something unique to contribute.
The oldest member, Pat Dockendorf (99), is an experienced percussionist and longtime resident of western NC. Born in 1927, Pat discovered her talent for timpani at the age of 80 and joined the Spartanburg Community Band. Now, as a member of the Symphony, she plays bass drum, bells, timpani, and other instruments.
In the spring of 2025, when the ensemble’s regular timpani player was recovering from knee surgery, Pat stepped in, performing an impressive ten pieces that evening.
At the other end of the spectrum is 14-year-old Zane Hendricks, a tuba player at R-S Middles School and the Symphony’s youngest musician. Music runs in Zane’s family. His parents, Paul and Hollie, are both music teachers and members of the Symphony, and his brother Marshall also performs with the orchestra.
Zane was selected for the All-State Honors Band–a highly competitive honor ensemble featuring top student musicians from across North Carolina. Participants work with accomplished guest conductors and learn to play challenging musical selections, with the experience culminating in a showcase performance.
Pat and Zane reflect what makes the Symphony a special part of life in Rutherford County. For its members, rehearsals are more than practice—they are a chance to build friendships across generations and take part in the community.
A Home for the Symphony
For more than three decades, the Symphony has helped make Rutherford County a distinctive place for arts and culture in western North Carolina. And with community support, its new permanent rehearsal space will help carry that tradition forward.
The renovated facility will give the Symphony a lasting home and support the shared musical experiences that bring Rutherford County together. Rutherford Bound is working with community partners to support the renovation of the Symphony’s future event space.
Of course, the best way to learn about the Symphony is to experience it in person. Mark your calendars for May 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. for the Spring Concert, taking place at the Foundation Performing Arts Center in Spindale. The orchestra will perform a special tribute in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States—with works by George Gershwin and Artie Shaw, songs made famous by Duke Ellington, and more.
For both longtime supporters and first-time listeners, the concert offers a chance to hear what makes the Symphony special: neighbors, friends, and musicians of all ages coming together to share the joy of live music with their community.
Photography courtesy of Zane Beam and the Symphony of Rutherford County (via Facebook).
