New World Symphony (orchestra)

The New World Symphony is an American orchestral academy based in Miami Beach, Florida. Established in 1987, the organization is a training ensemble for young musicians in preparation for professional careers in classical music.[1] Since 2011, the New World Symphony has its headquarters in the New World Center.[2]

New World Symphony
Members of the New World Symphony playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto, with soloist Johannes Moser as seen during a 2011 live outside "wallcast" at the New World Center
Address
Map
500 17th Street

,
United States
Coordinates25°47′28″N 80°07′59″W / 25.791°N 80.133°W / 25.791; -80.133
Information
TypeFull-time orchestral academy
Established1987
Artistic directorStéphane Denève
Websitewww.nws.edu

History

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In 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas established the New World Symphony, with initial financial assistance from Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Cruise Lines. Thomas and Arison had similar visions of a training orchestra for young conservatory graduates to assist them in finding employment with professional orchestras. The New World Symphony gave its first public concert on 4 February 1988 in Miami.[3] By the time of Arison's death in 1999, he had contributed $62M USD to the organization.[4]

The New World Symphony offers three-year fellowships, where the program offers a wide range of performance and educational opportunities in both domestic and international venues. The program offers opportunities for fellows to design and present their own concerts, which often feature seldom-heard works for unusual instrumentation. The training also includes mock auditions, financial management, donor and media relations, as well as opportunities for teaching in local schools.[4]

The New World Symphony presents a season of concerts from September to May at the 756-seat concert hall of the New World Center.[5] Performances include full-orchestra concerts, a chamber music series, a new music series, percussion consort series, small ensemble concerts, a family series, and special festivals and recitals.

The Orchestra's 2010 tour through Umbria was documented in the book 'Feast For The Senses',[6] authored by Lin Arison and Diana Still, and featuring photographs by Neil Folberg.[7]

On June 29, 2011, the New World Symphony Orchestra received the first place award for "Adventurous Programming" (group 2 orchestras) from ASCAP for its strong commitment to new American music.[8]

In March 2022, the organization announced that Tilson Thomas is to stand down as its artistic director, effective 1 June 2022, in conjunction with Tilson Thomas' simultaneous public disclosure of his health status.[9] In September 2022, the organization announced Stéphane Denève as its new artistic director, with immediate effect, and the transition of Tilson Thomas to the role of artistic director laureate.[10]

References

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  1. ^ John Rockwell (December 17, 1989). "Reviews/Music; New World Symphony, A Youthful Conduit". The New York Times. p. 94.
  2. ^ Anthony Tommasini (January 27, 2011). "A Voyage of Discovery As a New Hall Sets Sail". The New York Times. p. C12.
  3. ^ Allan Kozinn (February 7, 1998). "Music Review: Celebration and a Sampling". The New York Times. p. 16.
  4. ^ a b Daniel J Wakin (February 18, 2007). "The Face-the-Music Academy". The New York Times. pp. 1–6.
  5. ^ Nicolai Ouroussoff (January 23, 2011). "Gehry Design Plays Fanfare for the Common Man". The New York Times. p. C1.
  6. ^ MacNicol, Glynnis (December 11, 2010). "'Feast For The Senses' Book Party Also A Feast For Attendees". Business Insider. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  7. ^ Frank, Robert (June 15, 2011). "What the Rich Are Reading This Summer". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  8. ^ League of American Orchestras: "ASCAP 'Adventurous Programming' Awards Presented at League of American Orchestras Conference in Minneapolis", accessed August 16, 2011.
  9. ^ "A Letter from MTT / From the New World Symphony" (Press release). New World Symphony. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  10. ^ "NWS announces new Artistic Director" (Press release). New World Symphony. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
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