NASHUA — In an attempt to broaden its appeal across the state, the Nashua Symphony has changed its name to Symphony New Hampshire.

Eric Valliere, SNH's executive director, said the 90-year old group has been honored to call Nashua its home since 1923, when it started as an all-volunteer, community ensemble.

“Although we're 90, in a sense we are in a new infancy,” Valliere said Monday morning at City Hall. “Even though we've reached a level of professionalism and accomplishment, there's still a lot to be done.”

Valliere said that over the years, directors of various musical organizations have expressed interest in having the Nashua Symphony perform. But they couldn't sell tickets for a Nashua orchestra — the title was a hindrance.

“That took a while to sink in,” he said. “It wasn't that they didn't like Nashua. It was just that they understood their audience didn't necessarily associate Nashua Symphony with a professional quality orchestra.”

In the 1960s, the symphony aligned with a volunteer chorus, and in the 1980s, a transition was made from a volunteer organization to a professional orchestra.

In 2008, the symphony hired conductor Jonathan McPhee, who also serves as music director for Boston Ballet. “And that's really been a capstone in the long 90-year growth of the organization to what it is today, “ Valliere said.

“We thought this was the right moment to expand our horizons, look outward from Nashua, and try to see an organization that serves the entire state,” he said.

SNH is the largest performance organization in the state. Valliere said the next largest, the Granite State Orchestra, has no paid staff, though the musicians are paid.

SNH employs two full-time and one part-time staff members. About 55 musicians perform on a freelance basis.

McPhee said Nashua has been terrific to the orchestra over the years, offering the largest hall in the state at Elm Street Middle School.

“A lot of what this name change represents is removing barriers,” McPhee said. “There's tons of data that says classical music is important. It's important for education, it's important to grow, it's important to stretch you, it's important to go beyond the nuts and bolts of everyday life.”

But McPhee said the society has built up barriers for classical music. “People don't necessarily feel comfortable going to a music hall.”

He said that as symphony members have watched their audiences begin to grow, they have looked at programming that would attract a wider group of people. Going into the schools has been a big part of that.

McPhee said the name change reflects those efforts.

SNH will start its season Oct. 6 featuring Beethoven, Brahms, and Mendelssohn. Six more shows will follow through April 20, including pops, opera and world music.

The symphony will also offer two chamber concerts — Pops for Pipes IV and Cello Masters.

Mayor Donnalee Lozeau opened the event by saying, “What I love most about it is you can share (symphony music) with your children, and you can share it with your parents, and you can share it with your grandparents. It's extraordinary that you have something like this that can go across the generations and be enjoyed by all.”

Cambridge Trust was a sponsor of the rebranding. Vice President Michael Duca attended Monday's event.

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Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.