David Bernard to Stay on as Music Director of Massapequa Philharmonic

The Massapequa Philharmonic, the principal orchestra serving Massapequa and Long Island, has extended David Bernard's contract as their Music Director. The extension secures Bernard's position with the orchestra until 2020.

Having taken up the Music Director's baton in 2016 after a number of successful years of guest conducting there, Bernard's first seasons with the MPO have been a hearty success. As well as pushing artistic standards ever-higher, Bernard has brought his popular and accessible 'InsideOut Concerts' concept to the orchestra, formed partnerships with local businesses and arts institutions. One of his most admired accomplishments has been the partnership with the Eglevsky Ballet, resulting in that company's first run of Nutcracker performances with live orchestra for years.

"David Bernard has been a wonderful leader for the Massapequa Philharmonic,"? says the orchestra's President, Nicholas Healy, "His vitality and his vision for the orchestra, both artistically and in terms of its role in the community, have been incredibly positive. He knows how to inspire our musicians, and our audiences are in turn inspired. We're delighted to have secured David as our Music Director for another two years."

Bernard, who is also Music Director of the New York City-based Park Avenue Chamber Symphony, says, "I knew from the first moment on the podium with this wonderful MPO family that this would be a special relationship. And not only on the podium; everyone in this orchestra, onstage or off, has a warmth and a dedication that it is a privilege to encounter, still more to lead as Music Director. And that feeling translates to our audiences as well, who are part of the MPO every bit as much as the players and the administration team. Making music is about community - we the MPO are there with our audiences, with our partners, with our region. I am proud and delighted to continue as Music Director of the Massapequa Philharmonic."

The MPO's next concert with David Bernard, on May 6th, will comprise "A Celebration of Peace and Hope" and will include a Beethoven double, the Overture To The Consecration Of The House and the Ninth Symphony, alongside the Long Island Choral Society and soloists Tamara Paselk, Julia Snowden, Raymond Storms and Martin Fisher.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

David Bernard's conducting has received critical acclaim in the US and worldwide. Noted recent performances include Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring at Lincoln Center and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Carnegie Hall. Bernard's critically acclaimed catalogue of recordings include a premiere recording of a new edition of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

A multiple First Prize winner of the Orchestral Conducting Competition of The American Prize, Bernard is Music Director of the Park Avenue Chamber Symphony and the Massapequa Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as a frequent guest conductor. Bernard has worked on the Edwin F. Kalmus editorial team with Clinton F. Nieweg, retired librarian of the Philadelphia Orchestra, developing new editions of Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring and The Firebird Suite-1919 Version, which was published in 2016. In addition, he has published his own editions of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, K. 622, and Schumann's Symphony No. 2, Op. 61.

David Bernard is an acclaimed orchestra builder and is sought after for his artistic leadership and innovation in community engagement, including his new InsideOut format (seating audiences inside the orchestra).

Photo credit: Matt Dine