2024-25 School Field Trip and Family Concert

Meet the Maestro Behind the Magic

We are deeply grateful to our Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo for 20 years of dedicated service to the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Under his baton, we have explored new musical horizons and engaged with themes that connect art, culture, and collective wellbeing. Through his leadership, the ASO has upheld an uncompromising commitment to artistic excellence, bringing extraordinary music to our community.

As we conclude our 63rd year performing for our cherished audiences, we look ahead with great anticipation to the 2025-2026 season and beyond, guided by Maestro Novo’s vision. His leadership continues to propel the ASO toward artistic innovation, broader reach, and deeper community engagement.

As the symphony orchestra of Maryland’s capital, we aim to expand our impact across the state, becoming a true resource for music education and high-quality entertainment. We envision Annapolis not just as a home for great music but as a landmark destination for audiences near and far.

A vital part of this vision is expanding our audience, strengthening our support network, and ensuring that the ASO remains a thriving cultural institution. We are especially committed to the growth of the Annapolis Symphony Academy, which nurtures young musicians and cultivates the next generation of talent.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your passion and support allow us to bring this vision to life, ensuring a bright and dynamic future for the ASO and the community we serve.

We are today’s ASO because of your leadership, Maestro Novo. Congratulations on 20 years with the ASO - here’s to many more!

E LI ZA BETH RICHEBO U RG R E A

Under writer, The Philip Richebourg Ar tistic Director and Conductor ’s Chair

THE PHILIP RICHEBOURG ENCORE CIRCLE honors multi-annual pledges of $100,000+

Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, in honoring the legacy of her father, Co-Founder of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, created a legacy of her own. In 2011, she donated the largest single contribution in the history of the orchestra for the 50th Anniversary Season. This generosity transformed giving by inspiring future endowments of substantial amounts in addition to pledges spanning multiple years. Her pioneering leadership has created new levels of support, enabling the A SO to expand our work on stage and in the community. Elizabeth is underwriter of the Artistic Director and Conductor’s Chair in her father’s name and in addition is the founding member of the Philip Richebourg Encore Circle.

Elizabeth Rea is a ﬁne ar t photographer and curator She has curated numerous Joseph Cornell exhibitions and two Roy Lichtenstein Retrospectives. Elizabeth is President of the Dungannon Foundation, sponsor of the Rea Award for the Shor t Stor y. She ser ves on the Peggy Guggenheim Advisor y Board and is an Honorar y Trustee of the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation.

Photo: Thomas MacDonald, The N e w Y ork Times

Novo and the ASO stunned audiences on both sides of the Atlantic in a debut international tour to Spain with guitar virtuoso Pepe Romero as guest soloist.

Maestro Novo’s continuous drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with some of today’s most respected guest artists keeps generating unprecedented artistic growth and enthusiastic reviews from publications such as The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun

In addition to his directorship of the ASO, Maestro Novo held an impressive thirteen-year tenure as Music Director and Conductor of the Binghamton Philharmonic in New York state from 2003 to 2016. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under both late Music Director Emeritus Jesús LópezCobos and former Music Director Paavo Järvi, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under the late Erich Kunzel.

Recent and upcoming guest conducting engagements include debut appearances

with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Grand Rapids, Hilton Head, Palm Beach, Alexandria, and South Bend Symphony Orchestras, and return appearances with the Baltimore Symphony, the Fresno Philharmonic, Symphoria, and a Kimmel Center debut in Philadelphia conducting the Curtis Institute Orchestra. After a successful debut with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO) for the Thailand International Composition Festival in 2015, Maestro Novo has been invited back regularly to guest conduct the TPO on several occasions. Other guest conducting engagements have included appearances with the Symphony Silicon Valley; the Minnesota Orchestra; the Syracuse, Modesto, Windsor, Stamford, Tulsa, and Tallahassee Symphonies; the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra; the Cleveland and Abilene Philharmonics; and most of the major Spanish orchestras.

José-Luis Novo has also fostered a reputation as a keen educator of young musicians. He has held conducting

Photo By: David Trozzo

ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MUSICIAN ROSTER

VIOLIN I

Nicholas Currie, Acting Concertmaster

Hanbing Jia, Acting Associate Concertmaster

Rachael Stockton, Acting Assistant Concertmaster

Abby Armbruster

Yoon Young Bae

Susan Benac

Angela YuTing Chew

Yan Izquierdo

VIOLIN II

Kristin Bakkegard, Acting Principal

William Wang, Acting Associate Principal

Sally Stallings Amass

Sara Schneider

Paul Bagley

Amelia Giles

VIOLA

Sarah Hart, Principal

Derek Smith, Associate Principal

Susan Taylor Dapkunas

Kate Zahradnik

CELLO

Todd Thiel, Principal

Pei Lu, Associate Principal

Daniel Shomper

MaryAnn Perkel

BASS

Patrick Raynard, Principal

Benjamin Crofut, Associate Principal

FLUTE

Kimberly Valerio, Principal

Lauren Sileo

OBOE

Fatma Daglar, Principal

Rick Basehore

CLARINET

David Drosinos, Acting Principal

Natalie Groom

BASSOON

Jimmy Ren, Acting Principal

Matt Lano

HORN

Shane Iler, Acting Principal

Elena Varon

Amy Horn

Anthony Valerio

TRUMPET

Christopher Buchanan, Acting Principal

Andrew Fremder

Kristopher Westrich

TROMBONE

David Perkel, Principal

David Sciannella

Kaz Kruszewski

TUBA

Willie Clark, Acting Principal

TIMPANI

Curt Armbruster, Principal

PERCUSSION

William Kan, Principal

Jenny Marasti

Evan Saddler

What’s Up? Media has been a proud supporting partner of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra for over 25 Years.

theaters throughout Maryland. Since Kelsch's tenure, the company has premiered productions of Giselle, Don Quixote, Napoli , and many more.

With an emphasis on community outreach, Ballet Theatre of Maryland fosters arts engagement and enrichment for individuals in Annapolis and beyond. This includes performing more than 40 outreach demonstrations and 10 in-theater mini shows for Maryland schools each year as well as class-based residencies throughout the community. BTM's local arts education partnerships include GiGi's Playhouse, Boys and Girls Club, Casey Cares, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Each year, 120+ students from AACPS perform alongside the professional company in BTM's Arts Integration program.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland's focus on education also includes recreational and vocational training through their Conservatory of Dance, Trainee Program, and Apprentice Program. The Conservatory offers dance training for students ages 2 to adult at BTM's Merritt Annex studios, at Maryland Hall, and in their satellite location in Grasonville, MD. The pre-professional Trainee Program, which serves as a bridge program to the professional company, attracts top dancers throughout the U.S. to train and perform with BTM for the season. Apprentices, who work closely with the professional company, are prepared to rise through the ranks in the years to come.

By Cindy Case

MUSICIAN SPONSORS

Join us in a campaign to get all 55 of our currently tenured musicians sponsored! Sponsoring a musician is a transformative way to show your support for the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. It is a special opportunity to personally connect with an individual musician and deepen your connection to the symphony.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR

José-Luis Novo

The Philip Richebourg Chair

VIOLIN I

Netanel Draiblate, Concertmaster

FLUTE

Kimberly Valerio, Principal

Sponsored by William Seale & Marguerite Pelissier

Genevieve Eichman

Sponsored by Russ Stevenson & Margie Axtell

OBOE

Fatma Daglar, Principal

The Sage Tower Mumma Endowed Chair

Rick Basehore

ANYTHING G ES

In memory of Marion Borsodi

Sandra Collyear Altherr

In memory of Louise A. Snyder Hugh D. Camitta

In memory of Ralph Bluntschli Elizabeth Gordon-Bluntschli

In honor of Rachael Stockton Rene Shumate

In memory of Evelin Reynolds

Ann J. Baker

In memory of Ronald Bower

Elaine Bower

In memory of David Kidwell

Dr. Mark Cinnamon & Ms. Doreen Kelly

In honor of James Cheevers Anonymous

In memory of Susan David R. Herron, Ph.D.

In honor of Illa Nelson Anonymous

In memory of Barry Amass Sally Amass

In memory of Charlie L. Byrd Rebecca A. Byrd

In honor of Mrs. Marguerite Cole Anonymous

In honor of Miriam Fogel Beth D. Jacob

In memory of Marc & Kirk Elvy Cecelia Wyatt

In memory of Mrs. Sotack James W. Cheevers

In memory of Lorraine Mary Sotack Shelley Row

In honor of Argie & Angela Catherine Shultz

In honor of José-Luis Novo

Marvin & Nina Kesner

In memory of James Earl James W. Cheevers

In memory of Mary Walton Anonymous

In memory of Lee Mueller Pat Mager

Generous friends of Howard and Thea Pinskey established a scholarship fund in their memory dedicated to providing financial assistance to students in the Annapolis Symphony Academy. The Annapolis Symphony will also add funds given in memory of Howard and Thea Pinskey to this scholarship fund in their memory. If you would like to contribute to this fund, visit www.annapolissymphony.org/support.

Foundations & Organizations

Maryland State Arts Council

Arts Council of Anne Arundel County

Elville Center for the Creative Arts

Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (FASO)

Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County

Impact 100 Chesapeake Chapter

Ken Code, Dea Code Foundation

Council Family Foundation

JoshuaOneNine Fund

The J.M. Kaplan Fund

The Dealy Foundation, Inc

Paige Miller Memorial Scholarship

National Philanthropic Trust

Murray, McGehrin & Shiery at

Rotary of Annapolis

Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians

Lewis Family Fund Grant

Pew Foundation

Progress Family Foundation

Charities Aid Foundation America

Frederick R. Galloway Charitable Trust

The Links, Incorporated

Loaves & Fish 247 Fund

Music Educators of Greater Annapolis

Pledgeling Foundation

Schmidt Family Charitable Fund

U.S. Charitable Gift Trust

United Way of Central Maryland

Advertisers

MARYLAND HALL CONCERT & TICKET INFORMATION

ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Use of cameras or recording devices during the performance is strictly prohibited.

LATECOMERS

Latecomers will only be seated at the conclusion of a musical selection.

IN CASE OF FIRE

Please note the nearest exit to your seat. In the event of fire or another emergency, WALK — do not run — to that exit.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

In the event of severe weather, every effort will be made to continue with scheduled concerts. No refunds will be given if a concert is performed during severe weather but not attended by the ticket holder.

NO SMOKING

Maryland Hall is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is prohibited in and on the grounds of the building.

MARYLAND HALL BAR

Enjoy a beer or glass of wine before the concert and at intermission in room 206. Cash and credit cards are accepted and drinks are allowed in the concert hall.

SUBSCRIPTION TICKETS

Subscribing to the Masterworks Series at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is the best deal around! As a subscriber you get exclusive access to a 20% discount on single tickets, priority seating, and free exchanges. Subscriptions are available for all 5 Masterworks concerts as a full series or 3 or 4 concerts as a Flex Pass. Learn more at annapolissymphony.org/subscribe.

ACCESS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Parking, ramp, and elevator facilities are available at the entrance nearest Spa Road. Wheelchair accessible seating is also available. Please call 410-263-0907 to make arrangements.

SINGLE TICKETS

Whether it’s your first or fifth time at the Symphony, single tickets are always available for purchase! Tickets can be purchased online at annapolissymphony.org/events or by calling the Symphony Box Office at 410263-0907.

GROUP SALES

We are dedicated to making your group‘s visit to the Annapolis Symphony a memorable experience. With a group of 10 or more, receive a 15% discount on all tickets.

TICKET EXCHANGES

Subscribers may exchange their tickets for the alternate performance of the same concert only. Exchanges are subject to availability.

TICKET DONATIONS

Subscribers may donate tickets back to the Symphony as a tax-deductible contribution. We will mail you an acknowledgement letter for your donation.

There are no refunds and all ticket sales are final. If there are changes to the program, ticket holders will be contacted with options.

We invite YOU to become a friend!

FASO is a dynamic group of music lovers who support the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. FASO fundraising events include the Concert of Tastes, Historical Happy Hour, themed dinners, Dine-toDonate, Movie & Trivia Nights, wine tastings at local vineyards, international trips and much more. FASO collaborates with the Annapolis Symphony Academy to provide grants that expand programming and provide scholarships. FASO efforts expand beyond Annapolis. FASO recently sponsored the featurelength film Sing to Me Sylvie, which won the Spotlight Award from the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras. Join us! Become part of the fun while helping to benefit the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and rising artists.

IT IS EASY TO JOIN - VISIT

ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY.ORG

Membership: $50 per person | $75 per couple Contact info: 410-267-3646

friends@annapolissymphony.org

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Officers/Executive Committee:

Ann A. Tran, President

Marguerite Cole, Vice President

Ways & Means

Paula Abernethy, Vice President

Membership

Julie S. Grudzinskas, Treasurer

David Bush, Recording Secretary

Carol Richards, Corresponding Secretary

Directors:

Adele Baron

John Andryszak

Adele Baron

Jim Cheevers

Betsy Chotin

Kathy Clatanoff

Renee Ehler

Robert Foye

Elizabeth

Gordon-Bluntschli

Diane Green

Patrick Green

Anna E. Greenberg

Valerie Gutterson

Stephen Holt

Marilyn Lyons

Lynn Maichle

Mary McKiel

Rick Sullivan

The Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) organization. Dues and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, providing no goods or services are realized by joining.

Champagne Sunday photo by Don Dement