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                     Our 91st  Season


"Oldest Continuing Volunteer Orchestra in the Nation"

The Melrose Symphony Orchestral Association is the  oldest continuously performing volunteer orchestra in the United States.

The orchestra was founded in 1918 by a dedicated group of citizens led by Frank B. Gray and Harold A. Sewall. They asked Elmer Wilson to become the first conductor. Mr. Wilson led the thirteen players who attended the first rehearsal at the YMCA. Forty-five players participated in the first concert on December 10, 1918.

Mr. Victor Friend became the first President of the "Melrose Orchestral Association, Inc." on January 8, 1919, when the orchestra was incorporated. Ten Presidents have succeeded Mr. Friend. The current President, Millie Rich, has led the MSO through an incredible period of growth and success.  The orchestra now routinely plays to sold out concerts, and  it has released two CD's - one featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and the most recent featuring Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5.

The Melrose Symphony's first conductor, Mr. Wilson, was followed by the distinguished conductor George Brown who led the orchestra for 32 years.  Mr. Brown was followed by Jeronimas Kacinskas, David Sonneschein, William Maloof, Christopher Blair, and Peter Hazzard. In 1997, Yoichi Udagawa, was chosen to be the eighth music director of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra.

During the MSO's long history, many illustrious names have appeared with the orchestra including Arthur Fiedler, actress Maureen O'Hara, cellist Martha Babcock, soprano Sharon Baker, jazz artist Gary Burton, baritone Robert Honeysucker, the West Point Chorus, the New Black Eagle Jazz Band, and Boris Goldovsky. Most recently, the principal bassoonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Richard Svoboda performed as soloist with the orchestra with internationally renowned musician Gunther Schuller conducting.

The mission of the Melrose Symphony is to give the citizens of Melrose and surrounding area an opportunity to participate in the joy of music.  As the Melrose Symphony Orchestra enters the 21st century, its success and vitality are a testament to the invaluable and enthusiastic support it receives from the community.



Subscribe now to the Melrose Symphony Orchestra's 2008-2009 Season! Visit our Ticket Info page for more information.

For additional information please call 781-662-0641
or e-mail Millierich@verizon.net
©2008 Melrose Symphony Orchestra
P.O. Box 760715, Melrose, Massachusetts 02176



 

Concert One

October 25, 2008

 Von Suppe
Poet and Peasant Overture

Opera Arias  
Junko Watanabe, Soprano

Beethoven
Symphony No. 7

 

Holiday Pops

December 12-13, 2008

 Shostakovich
Festive Overture

arr. D. Wagner
The Glory of Christmas with
The Jubilate Ringers

Anderson
Trumpeter's Lullaby

Torme
The Christmas Song with
The Jubilate Ringers

Vocal Selections with Robert Honeysucker


arr. Holcombe
Sounds of Hanukah


Chase
Christmas Favorites


arr. Finnegan
Christmas Sing Along


 

Concert Two

March 7, 2009

 Rossini
Barber of Seville

Beethoven
Piano Concerto #4
 
Miyuki Otani, Piano

Brahms
Symphony No. 2

 

May Pops

May 2, 2009

 Reznicek
Donna Diana Overture

Williams
Liberty Fanfare

Khachaturian
Lullaby from Gayaneh

Tchaikovsky
Mvt. 3 from Symphony #6

Vocal Selections

Mara Bonde & Donald Wilkinson

Vignieri
Sonic Debate

Webber arr. Custer
Selections from "Phatom of the Opera"

Sousa
Washington Post

Respighi

Finale from "Pines of Rome"