OUR JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

Discover the milestones that shaped our legacy.

1995

Doug and Noelle McClure were married and began their family, laying the foundation for what would later become Symphony of Hope.

2001

The McClure family relocated to India, where Sounds of Promise was founded—marking the beginning of their long-term journey using music and education to serve children and communities across cultures.

2009

After several years of international service, the family returned from overseas work to California.

2012

Sounds of Promise transitioned into Symphony of Hope, carrying forward the same core values with a renewed and expanded vision. That same year, the first official Symphony of Hope base was established in California, serving as a launch point for future international initiatives.

2014

The first Symphony of Hope international pilot project was launched in Hyderabad, India. Students from the California base participated, becoming the first to carry the Symphony of Hope model across borders.

2015

Symphony of Hope International was formally introduced at an international conference hosted by Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Townsville, Australia, expanding global awareness of the program and its mission.

2016

The Symphony of Hope main base relocated to Kona, Hawai‘i for advanced training and program development. That same year, Symphony of Hope Germany was launched.

2017

During this season, several new bases were established, including Symphony of Hope Papua New Guinea (Alotau Province), Symphony of Hope South Africa (Worcester Province), and Symphony of Hope Pacific (Big Island of Hawai‘i).

2020

Amid the global disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Symphony of Hope adapted to an online-capable model, allowing music education and mentorship to continue reaching children and communities despite worldwide shutdowns.

2022

The Music Education Bachelor’s Degree Program was formally established at the University of the Nations in Kona. During this same season, Symphony of Hope Switzerland and Symphony of Hope First Nations Canada bases were launched. In addition, several violin project initiatives were carried out in the Bahamas, Jordan, Israel, Washington, D.C., Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan, – laying the groundwork for future long-term programs in these regions.

2024

In August, Symphony of Hope relaunched its Papua New Guinea program in Madang Province after the original Alotau base had closed due to COVID-related challenges and local unrest. During this outreach, the organization experienced a profound loss when founder Doug McClure passed away suddenly on August 29, 2024, just one week before the project’s conclusion. Despite deep grief, the team remained committed to completing the initiative, including a major public performance during Pope Francis’ visit. Following this season, the family returned home to honor Doug’s life and legacy and to celebrate a family wedding. In the months that followed, Symphony of Hope entered a season of reflection, restructuring, and strategic discernment as the organization prepared for its future without its founder.

2025

From a season of loss emerged renewed growth and clarity. In June, Symphony of Hope celebrated a historic milestone with the graduation of its first student from the Music Education Bachelor’s Program, Ricky Heger. As the organization moves forward, a new generation of teachers and leaders continues to carry the vision of Symphony of Hope—ensuring its work through music education, creativity, and global connection continues to grow and expand worldwide.