about us

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Orchestra Delray performed from 1979 to 2023 under the direction of Dr. Clark McAlister. With the beginning of the 2023 season, Terence Kirchgessner takes over as conductor. Orchestra Delray is considered one of the best community orchestras in the tri-county area.  The orchestra is comprised of active and semi-retired professional musicians with diverse backgrounds that include solo, orchestral and chamber music performance experience.  Dr. McAlister and orchestra members are committed to providing high quality performances of both well-known and more obscure classical repertoire as well as creative arrangements of lighter, more modern pieces for an enjoyable audience experience.  The orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, making donations to it tax-deductible.  Ticket prices are very affordable but do not cover the orchestra’s expenses.  Donations will assure the orchestra’s future and are very much appreciated.  Please use the donation envelope available in the auditorium or send donations to :

Orchestra Delray

c/o Beverly Sanders

12587 Kettle River Pass

Boynton Beach, FL 33473

A native of Rochester, New York, Terence Kirchgessner began his conducting studies at the age of fifteen with Jeff Greene, a prominent wind conductor and award-winning educator. He attended the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam where he conducted the wind ensemble, early music ensemble, string orchestra, chamber orchestra and held the position of Assistant Conductor of the Crane Symphony Orchestra.

A versatile conductor, Kirchgessner's engagements have included a performance with the rock band Dashboard Confessional, performances at the Muse Awards, conducting singers from the Palm Beach Opera and Florida Grand Opera and yearly musical theater productions with Jan McArt. He has also conducted ensembles at the Hartwick and New York Summer Music Festivals as well as the Clarkson University Orchestra, the Treasure Coast Symphony and the Symphonia of Boca Raton. For over a decade, Terence was the Staff Conductor at Lynn Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, Florida where he had the privilege of conducting the Lynn Philharmonia, Lynn Chamber Orchestra and various other ensembles.

Mr. Kirchgessner is currently the Music Director of the Broward Symphony, Artistic Director of the Treasure Coast Symphony and conductor of Orchestra Delray.

Terence Kirchgessner holds a Bachelor of Music from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Master of Music from Lynn University. His primary conducting mentors were Timothy Topolewski, Chris Lanz and Jon Robertson.