ABOUT US
Midland Center for the Arts
1801 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI 48640 |
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Welcome Bohuslav Rattay, Music Director!
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 The Midland Symphony Orchestra, an incorporated member group of MCFTA, is comprised of professional musicians from throughout the state providing Mid Michigan with excellence in symphonic music since 1936. Its concert season, performed in the 1500-seat MCFTA Auditorium, features renowned guest artists, opera, ballet, family programs and special events. The MSO also sponsors educational opportunities through its prelude lectures, school touring ensembles, Tunes for Tots series, scholarships, Inside the Music programs, and guest artist master classes and residencies.
Past guest performers with the MSO include Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Chang, Dave Brubeck, Sharon Isbin, Edgar Meyer, John O'Conor, Measha Brueggergosman, The Harlem String Quartet, and many more who have contributed to the unique and challenging repertoire which defines the MSO. The MSO will continue to bring fresh, exciting performances to the area as it prepares for its 76th Season.
The mission of the MSO is to "provide excellence in symphonic music, education and outreach programs for Midland and the Mid Michigan community."
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Bohuslav Rattay Bio
Meet the Director |
CONCERTS
The MSO's five-concert season features professional musicians from throughout the state, renowned guest artists and a wide variety of major orchestral works. Upcoming Concerts
2012-2013 Season
MSO OPENING NIGHT:
OCT 6, 2012 • 8pm
Ching-Yun Hu, piano
Program:
Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique"
Sponsored by Wildfire Credit Union
 MENDELSSOHN REVISITED
Nov 10, 2012 • 8pm
Caroline Goulding, violin
Program:
Bartok – Romanian Folk Dances
Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto
Bartok – Dances of Transylvania
Mozart – Symphony No. 39
Sponsored by Hilliard Lyons
 THE NUTCRACKER
Nov. 30, 2012 • 7:30pm
Dec. 1, 2012 • 3 & 8pm
Dec. 2, 2012 • 3pm
John Varineau, guest conductor
The Grand Rapids Ballet Company
Program:
Tchaikovsky – The Nutcracker
Sponsored by Chemical Bank
 SIX DEGREES OF INSPIRATION
Feb 1, 2013 • 7pm
Jennifer Stumm, viola
Elizabeth Pridgen, piano
Program:
Six Degrees of Inspiration:
Three pairs of works by composers and their mentors
 RAISE THE ROOF
Feb 16, 2013 • 8pm
Andrew Spencer, timpani
Program:
Barber – School for Scandal Overture
Michael Daugherty – Raise the Roof
Beethoven – Symphony No.3 "Eroica"
Sponsored by Merrill Lynch – The Iles Group
 TIME FOR THREE
April 20, 2013 • 8pm
String Trio
Program:
Brahms – Symphony No. 3
Chris Brubeck – Travels in Time for Three
Sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors
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This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, which is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts with additional contributions from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. | |
MSO Evenings of Note
TAKE NOTE! THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
The Midland Symphony Orchestra invites you to enjoy fun and relaxing nights out at "Evenings of Note," a series of exclusive, invitation-only events benefiting the Orchestra. Enjoy different melodies and styles while wining and dining with pleasant company in several of Midland's choice venues. Your generous donation is appreciated!
Space is limited!
Please RSVP to Kimberly Dimond to reserve your spot on the invitation list.
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check back for upcoming dates
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AUDITIONS
Visit our auditions section under Get Involved for updated information and audition dates. Auditions include required excerpts, a prepared solo and possibly sight reading.
For information, email the Midland Symphony Orchestra or call (989) 631-5930 extension 1502.
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GETTING INVOLVED – We can’t do it without your help!
The Midland Symphony League supports the MSO through volunteer educational, promotional, and fund-raising activities.
If you have a love for music, become a Midland Symphony Orchestra Volunteer – it’s fun & easy! We’re always looking for individuals to help with:
• office assistance
• audition assistance
• lecture and rehearsal hospitality
• receptions and luncheons
• educational programs such as Tunes for Tots
• special events and fundraisers
Check out our Ways to Give to discover how you can financially support our on-going programming.
Maestro Wannabe Fundraiser
Maestro Wannabe provides a fun, competitive environment for raising money to support programming and educational growth for the Midland Symphony Orchestra, and is its largest fundraiser. In addition to individual contributions, five restaurants donated a portion of their Wednesday night proceeds during the months of November, December and January. They were: Pi's Chinese Restaurant, Genji Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar, Café Zinc, Table, and Oxygen.
The winner of our 2012 Maestro Wannabe fundraiser was Roland Wallace. At the MSO’s February 18, 2012, concert he conducted the Orchestra in a piece of his choice. The 2012 contest raised approximately $15,000.
Look for details about next season’s Maestro Wannabe Fundraiser in the fall!
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Friends of the MSO Donor Benefits
  
  
YouTube interview of Rolland Wallace
2012 Maestro Wannabe Winner |
OUTREACH – Touching lives in a musical way
Young children and their grown-ups learn fun musical lessons at the informal Tunes for Tots gatherings. Fans will enjoy our Music Appreciation Series offering insight into all things symphonic, while Scholarships and Awards recognize outstanding instrumental musicians in the region. The MSO also sponsors educational opportunities through its pre-concert prelude lectures, school touring ensembles and guest artist master classes and residencies. |
  
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MSO MUSICIANS
| MASTER ROSTER |
Violin I
Takeshi Abo*, Concertmaster
The Thomas & Vera Griswold Chair
Karel Abo*, Assoc. Concertmaster
The Gladys I. Lake Chair
Melissa Everett*
Yunjeong Kim
Jisun Oh
Jason Pfeifer
Linda Ryden***
Kyle Venlet+
Katharine Wersell
Elizabeth Wright
Sita Yetasook
Tatiana Zueva
Violin II
Heather DeGroot*, Principal
Timothy Frank**, Asst. Principal
Andrew Hatfield
Elaine Hunyadi*
Kathleen Sefcovic**
William Trestrail*
Paul Van Sickle***
Lisa Wagner
Viola
David Holland*, Principal
Jessica Zelinski*,
Acting Asst. Principal
Toniann Amadio*
Dilek Engin
Evgeny Gorobstov
Chi-Jui Lee
Jan Mallett***
Valentina Shmyreva
Katherine Willliams
Cello
Cathy White**, Principal
The Phoebe Barstow Chair
James Fiste*, Asst. Principal
Mary Adams**
Brian Dempsey**
Sara Moore
Linda Murray**
Natalie Pfeifer
Greg Stawick
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Bass
Craig Martin & Robert Johnson,
Acting Principals
The Ruth. D. Stenger Chair
David Angelotti**, Asst. Principal
Ed Cunningham***
Susan McRae**
William Poulos
Roland Wallace***
Flute/Piccolo
Joanna Cowan White*, Principal
Kassia Martin
Cathy Webster**
Oboe/English Horn
Roger Rehm*, Principal
The Vernon A. Stenger Chair
Sarah Southard
Liz Spector Callahan
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet
Linda Hargett**, Principal
The Betty & Norman Hall Chair
Grant Von Wald**
Joan Van Dessel
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Drew Hinderer***, Principal
Jennifer Dean
Horn
William Wollner**, Principal
The Robert T. Ralston Chair
Robin Von Wald**
Michael Wright
Mary Beth Orr
Patrick Furlo
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Trumpet
Matthew Thomas, Principal
Brian Sutherland**
James Young
Trombone
Daniel Spencer, Principal
Joseph Radtke*
Bryan Pokorney*
Tuba
Mark Cox*, Principal
Timpani
Rob Kratz, Principal
Percussion
Andrew Spencer, Principal
Chris Peeler*
Eric Jones
Mark DeMull
Harp
Joan Holland
Keyboards
Mary Jo Cox*
Librarian & Personnel Manager
Robin Von Wald
*10-19 Service Years
**20-29 Service Years
***30+ Service Years
+MSO/CMU Undergraduate Fellow
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AWARDS – Bravo! Bravo!
The Clara Highhill Memorial Scholarship
The Clara Highhill Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of a longtime Midland Symphony League volunteer. Eligible students must be in the 9th, 10th or 11th grade and must be a resident of Midland County. In addition to an application form, students submit an audition recording and a recommendation from their school music teacher(s) and/or private music teacher(s). The selection process also includes review of both recorded and live audition performances. Application link (available seasonally)
Musician of the Year Award
Established in 1959, this award is given annually to a person (or persons) who has made a great contribution to music in Midland, and whose life has musically affected and encouraged people of all ages. The award is named for Harold S. Kendall and Grace and Earl Pelton, musicians who were instrumental in organizing musical activities in the Midland community that still flourish today.
Betty Hall Memorial Scholarship
Betty Hall was a lifelong lover of music. She taught beginning piano in Midland as her children were growing up and beyond. Although she grew up in a family of very limited means, she, along with her husband, Norman, ensured that their children had the opportunity for lessons helpful in promoting their talents. The Betty Hall Memorial Scholarship encourages a love and joy of classical music, both in individual music making and in future audiences, as well as to ensure an opportunity for musical study with a current or MSO- recommended instructor. This award is intended for instrumentally (orchestral instrument or piano) talented Midland County 5th & 6th graders who display interest and enthusiasm in their instrument and commitment to practice. Financial need is an important consideration, possibly giving opportunity to a student who otherwise would not be able to afford it.
Contact Kimberly Dimond for more information. |
• Clara Highhill Memorial Scholarship
Highhill Application Download
Contact Kimberly Dimond for more information at (989) 631-5930, ext. 1502.
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HISTORY – Where we started & where we’re going
From its humble beginnings as the Midland Civic Orchestra in 1936, through a transition to the Dow Symphony in 1944, and to the final transformation to the Midland Symphony Orchestra in 1958, the MSO has remained steadfast in its mission to provide the region with an exceptional symphonic experience.
Stay tuned for an updated history section including interviews with many key figures that have helped shape the orchestra from past to present.
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MSO History pdf |
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