The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is the only professional symphony orchestra that serves Maryland's Eastern Shore and southern Delaware. The MSO brings classical music to concert-going audiences and music students through symphonic programs, discovering and developing musical talents, and providing a cultural and educational presence in the region.
| Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| Orchestra | |
| Short name | MSO |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Location | Maryland and Delaware |
| Website | https://midatlanticsymphony.org/ |
 | |
The MSO's music director is Grammy Award winning conductor Michael Repper.[1]
History
editThe MSO was established for the Mid-Atlantic region in October, 1997,[2][3] after a two-year grassroots effort led by Eastern Shore residents. In November, 1997, the orchestra's first concert was performed in Ocean City, Maryland.[4] The MSO has been led by three music directors—founding conductor Donald Buxton (1997–2004),[5] conductor Julien Benichou (2004–2021),[6] and current conductor Michael Repper (2022–present).[7] The MSO is guided by a volunteer board of directors in collaboration with the MSO's professional musicians and regional volunteer ambassadors who assist in promoting the MSO in their respective areas.[8]
Performance venues
editThe MSO's full season of performances includes five concerts that are given three times at different venues in the Atlantic coastal areas of Maryland's Easton, Ocean City and Ocean Pines; and of southern Delaware's Rehoboth Beach and Lewes.[9] In addition to these five concerts are the Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition held in Easton[10] and ensemble performances for brass, string, and woodwind quintets offered throughout the region.[11][12]
Notable premiere
editThe MSO presented the state premieres of Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue for Maryland and Delaware audiences in May, 2024. The musical work was commissioned by and featured internationally-acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Biegel.[13] The work celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and America's 250th anniversary. Boyer's work premieres in each of the 50 states through 2025.[14]
Community outreach
editThe MSO engages students and young musicians in the world of classical music through its outreach programs.[15]
Regional Schools
editGuest musicians from the MSO support local school music teachers by mentoring primary and secondary music students during their regularly-scheduled music classes.[16]
Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition
editThe annual Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition, established in the 2019-2020 season, discovers and develops young musical talent worldwide. Musicians, aged 12 to 25, vie for 3 spots as solo finalists for the competition.[17] Each finalist performs with the MSO's full orchestra.[18] The 2024 competition included 155 soloists representing 24 states and 12 countries.[19] The competition's name honors Elizabeth Loker (1948-2015) for her years of dedication to the MSO.[20]
Honors
editMaryland State Senator Adelaide C. Eckardt honored the MSO in December, 2022, with an 'Official Citation of the Senate of Maryland' for the orchestra's 25 years of enriching the cultural life of the Mid-Atlantic Region.[21]
The Yale School of Music recognized the orchestra’s efforts in introducing school-age children to instrumental music with the '2016 Distinguished Educator Award' to JoFran Falcon (1930-2022), then MSO’s vice president of education and outreach.[22]
References
edit- ^ "Best Orchestral Performance Winner from the New York Youth Symphony Celebrates At The City National Bank First Look Camera | Backstage At The 2023 GRAMMYs | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Roberts, Suozzo, Glassford, Ngu (July 29, 2024). "Mid Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Society Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "DelawareScene: Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Easton, MD". delawarescene.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Dougan, Nicole (2014-11-20). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Presents 'Holiday Joy' for the Holiday Season on Delmarva". Ocean City MD Maryland Vacation Guide | Ocean City Hotels. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
- ^ "MSO honors Don Buxton during anniversary year". The Star Democrat. 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "French ambassador honors Julien Benichou". Cape Gazette. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Salazar, Francisco (2022-06-15). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Music Director". OperaWire. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra". AARP. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ Salazar, Francisco (2022-06-15). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Appoints New Music Director". OperaWire. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Price, Angela (2022-12-22). "Maryland Senate honors Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra". Star Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "2024-2025 Season Schedule". Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Mid-Atlantic Symphony's Ensemble Series Presents the MSO String Quintet". Chesapeake Crier. January 27, 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Music Interview: Peter Boyer and Jeffrey Biegel celebrate George Gershwin's legacy". WSHU. 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (April 16, 2024). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony premiere of "Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue"". The Talbot Spy. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra elects 2 to Board of Directors". The Star Democrat. January 20, 2024.
- ^ Dispatch Staff (November 2, 2017). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra presents "A-B-C-Me Play Program" at Buckingham Elementary". The Dispatch. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ "Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition". Berks Arts. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra International Concerto Competition attracts worldwide entries for March 24 competition". Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ "Harpist Wins Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Elizabeth Loker International Concerto Competition - Talbot Spy". talbotspy.org. 2024-03-28. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Rogers, Alison (n.d.). "Elizabeth Loker Concerto Competition". Attraction Magazine. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
- ^ Price, Angela (2022-12-22). "Maryland Senate honors Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra". The Star Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ Parks, Steve (April 20, 2021). "Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra wraps it up for the season". The Talbot Spy. Retrieved July 7, 2024.