eSSO Santa Fe is an adult amateur orchestra of good friends who enjoy preparing and performing music together.  

In the summer of 2008 the orchestra was conceived as a way for friends to get together and read music in a casual, relaxed setting during the summer months when other regional amateur orchestras were taking their summer break.  As time went by, the group has become more focused on refined performances and in October 2012 the orchestra began to rehearse and perform year-round.

Always self-directed, eSSO was conducted by William (Bill) Houston III from December 2012 until March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic shut down all orchestral activities.  

The orchestra gives thanks to Bill Houston for his direction and significant contribution to our growth, both musically and literally, over his 8+ year tenure.

Beginning with the first, post-Covid performance in September 2021, eSSO Santa Fe is now conducted by rotating regional professional musicians and graduate conducting students from the University of New Mexico, School of Fine Arts, in Albuquerque.  

All concerts are part of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe’s Friday TGIF series, 5:30 PM every Friday, which are free of charge to the audience.  eSSO Santa Fe now plays four orchestral concerts each year, typically June, October, December and March.  Additionally, the group often schedules a late summer chamber performance which allows groups within the orchestra to form and work-up individual chamber works

eSSO Santa Fe’s past and upcoming repertoire include Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, Mendelssohn String Symphonies, Mozart Symphonies, Divertimenti and Concertos, Haydn Symphonies, Telemann Overtures, Stamitz Mannheim Symphonies and various concertos featuring members of the orchestra and guest performers.