The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces the settlement of a new three-year contract between the Association and members of Local 40-543 of the American Federation of Musicians. The new collective bargaining agreement went into effect on September 9, 2013 and will extend through September 11, 2016, replacing the previous two-year contract, which expired on September 8, 2013. The successful settlement of the contract and the terms ratified by both the musicians and the Board of Directors demonstrate a commitment by both parties to uphold the BSO's long tradition of artistic excellence while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Further, after the economic downturn necessitated the renegotiation of the 2008 contract with significant reductions in compensation and benefits, this new agreement signals increased confidence in the orchestra's long-term financial outlook.
Tenor Nicholas Phan will kick off his 2013-14 season as one of the prime voices heard in celebrations of the composer's centenary as they culminate this fall. Today, September 5, Phan helps launch Trinity Wall Street's four-month Celebrating Britten Festival with the orchestral song cycle Nocturne. The tenor also curates the 2013 Collaborative Works Festival as the Artistic Director of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, performing Britten's Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac and The Heart of the Matter, plus folk-song arrangements by Beethoven (Sept 11-15). Phan and pianist Myra Huang then embark on a U.S. recital tour - starting at Trinity Wall Street on September 21 - with a program juxtaposing Britten and Schubert.
Tenor Nicholas Phan will kick off his 2013-14 season as one of the prime voices heard in celebrations of the composer's centenary as they culminate this fall. On September 5, Phan helps launch Trinity Wall Street's four-month Celebrating Britten Festival with the orchestral song cycle Nocturne. The tenor also curates the 2013 Collaborative Works Festival as the Artistic Director of Collaborative Arts Institute of Chicago, performing Britten's Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac and The Heart of the Matter, plus folk-song arrangements by Beethoven (Sept 11-15). Phan and pianist Myra Huang then embark on a U.S. recital tour - starting at Trinity Wall Street on September 21 - with a program juxtaposing Britten and Schubert.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded $300,000 to a consortium of orchestras led by Pacific Symphony and Music Director Carl St.Clair for Phase Two of "Music Unwound," providing continued support for a multi-year commitment to integrate humanities content with live concert performances. The joint recipients include the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Austin Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the South Dakota Symphony and the Louisville Orchestra. (The University of Texas is also a principal recipient of the grant.) Conceived and directed by New York-based author, scholar and Pacific Symphony advisor Joseph Horowitz, the consortium of orchestras, in collaboration with local universities, is engaged in a multi-season exploration of aspects of the American musical experience. The project takes the form of cross-disciplinary festivals that also link to high schools, museums and two South Dakota Indian reservations.
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has awarded $300,000 to a consortium of orchestras led by Pacific Symphony and Music Director Carl St.Clair for Phase Two of “Music Unwound,” providing continued support for a multi-year commitment to integrate humanities content with live concert performances. The joint recipients include the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Austin Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the South Dakota Symphony and the Louisville Orchestra. (The University of Texas is also a principal recipient of the grant.) Conceived and directed by New York-based author, scholar and Pacific Symphony advisor Joseph Horowitz, the consortium of orchestras, in collaboration with local universities, is engaged in a multi-season exploration of aspects of the American musical experience. The project takes the form of cross-disciplinary festivals that also link to high schools, museums and two South Dakota Indian reservations.
Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare perform To Touch the Sky and If I Were a Swan paired with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Marin Alsop performing Symphony No.4 'From Mission San Juan.'
This fall, concert saxophonist Timothy McAllister gives the first North American performances of John Adams's new Saxophone Concerto and records the 32-minute score for Nonesuch. McAllister performs with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop on Friday, September 20 (8 pm) at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, repeated on September 21 (8 pm) and 22 (3 pm). Then, David Robertson leads McAllister and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Saxophone Concerto on Saturday, October 5 (8 pm) and Sunday, October 6 (3 pm) at Powell Hall. Listeners worldwide may catch a broadcast and live stream of the Oct. 5 concert at www.stlpublicradio.org. Recording sessions with Robertson and the SLSO follow in October for a future Nonesuch recording pairing Saxophone Concerto with the orchestra's performance of Adams's City Noir, which McAllister also premiered.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces the much-anticipated annual Rusty Musicians with the BSO on Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. (Group 1) and 7:50 p.m. (Group 2) at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. This event gives community instrumental musicians the ability to play side-by-side with a world-class orchestra. Under the direction of Music Director Marin Alsop, un-auditioned string, brass, wind and percussion instrumentalists will participate in rehearsals and perform selections from Edward Grieg's Peer Gynt Suites and Piotr Illyich Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture - Fantasy.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces that Music Director Marin Alsop will continue her commitment to the Orchestra with the signing of a six-year contract that extends from September 2015 to August 2021, her second contract renewal with the Orchestra. Maestra Alsop began her tenure as the Orchestra's 12th music director in September 2007; in 2009 she renewed her contract through 2015. This latest contract ensures that the BSO's popular music director will continue to be on the podium for approximately half of all classical subscription programs.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) regrets to announce that BSO Music Director Marin Alsop has suffered a minor injury to her wrist, following an accident in her hotel in São Paulo, Brazil on Monday night. She has been advised to cancel her conducting engagements with the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra for the month of July. Her next concert appearance with the BSO is currently scheduled for September 20, 2013. The BSO will continue to update the public about Marin Alsop's recovery.
Following national auditions, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the new appointments of Principal Timpanist James Wyman, Fourth Chair Viola Rebekah Newman, Second Trumpet Nathaniel Hepler and Second Horn Lisa Bergman; additionally, BSO Violist Karin Brown won an internal audition for the 3rd chair Assistant Principal Viola position. The appointees will begin in the upcoming 2013-2014 season.
Following national auditions, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the new appointments of Principal Timpanist James Wyman, Fourth Chair Viola Rebekah Newman, Second Trumpet Nathaniel Hepler and Second Horn Lisa Bergman; additionally, BSO Violist Karin Brown won an internal audition for the 3rd chair Assistant Principal Viola position. The appointees will begin in the upcoming 2013-2014 season.
As “a major new Britten interpreter” (New York Times) with two hit Britten albums to his name, tenor Nicholas Phan is set to be a prime mover in this year's celebrations of the English composer's centennial.Summer sees Phan undertake the SERENADE FOR TENOR, HORNS AND STRINGS at Portland's Chamber Music Northwest (July 22 & 23) and, with Eric Jacobsen and The Knights, at a Naumburg Orchestral Concert in New York's Central Park (July 30) and the Ravinia Festival (Sep 3).
19 American orchestras will be recognized with 2012-13 ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming today at the League of American Orchestras' 68th National Conference in St. Louis. ASCAP and the League present the awards each year to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge the audience, build the repertoire, and increase interest in music of our time. Approximately $725,000 has been bestowed on orchestras since the awards were established in 1947.
Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall tonight, June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of 'Cinema Sundays' at The Charles Theater, will moderate. Please see below for complete program details.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) regrets to announce that Marni Nixon, the singing voice of Natalie Woods' "Maria" in West Side Story, had to cancel her upcoming engagement with the BSO due to a sudden temporary illness. She was scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion with other West Side Story cast members prior to the BSO's production of West Side Story on Friday, June 14th
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Director Marin Alsop leads the BSO in a performance of the film score from Bernstein's legendary West Side Story tonight, June 13 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore, Friday, June 14 and Saturday, June 15 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 16 at 3 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Bernstein's brilliant score will accompany a screening of the 10-time Academy Award-winning motion picture. Watch the webumentary here.
Award-winning theatre, opera, and film director Julie Taymor will be honored at the 2013 Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art First Awards at the Brooklyn Museum on June 13 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The award, which honors women who have broken gender barriers to make remarkable contributions in their fields, will be bestowed on Taymor, winner of the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical in 1998. It will be presented by Museum Trustee Elizabeth A. Sackler and followed by a conversation between Taymor and feminist icon Gloria Steinem.
Marni Nixon, who dubbed the singing role for Natalie Wood, along with Bert Michaels (Snowboy), Eddie Verso (Juano) and Harvey Evans (Mouth Piece), will participate in a roundtable discussion about WEST SIDE STORY at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on June 14 from 7 p.m.to 7:30 p.m. Jonathan Palevsky, program director of WBJC 91.5 FM radio and host of "Cinema Sundays" at The Charles Theater, will moderate.
