Welcome to Season 64!
Under the visionary leadership of Maestro José-Luis Novo, now in his 21st year as Artistic Director and Conductor, our 64-year-old ASO has marked pivotal milestones that are propelling us towards an exciting and dynamic future.
We have strengthened our ensemble by welcoming four talented new musicians and celebrating the achievements of those who have earned tenure. With Erica Bondarev Rapach now serving as Executive Director, we are energized by fresh leadership and strategic vision. Our Annapolis Symphony Academy continues to flourish, with record enrollment reflecting our commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians while increasing access to music education.
Your steadfast support as a subscriber fuels everything we do. It empowers us to expand our reach across Annapolis, our home county of Anne Arundel, and throughout Maryland —bringing exceptional music to both familiar stages and new communities. Thank you for being part of our journey.
ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
This season we will experience great journeys and electrifying narratives of life, love, and destiny.
- JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO
V ISION Ar tistic
Welcome to Season 64!
Join us on a musical journey across continents and centuries, where tradition meets innovation. We explore American voices, Mexico’s lively rhythms, France’s lyricism, and Russia’s complex history.
Our guest artists shine: star guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas presents a recent work by Márquez, soprano Angel Blue brings vocal brilliance, Olga Kern returns for Rachmaninoff’s Piano
Concerto No. 2, and Pascal Rogé performs Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concerto in G. We also explore bold works new to ASO, including Gabriela Ortiz’s Antrópolis and William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony. From the swashbuckling energy of Strauss’ Don Juan to the rugged Americana of Copland’s Billy the Kid and the drama of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, this season will move and surprise you.
Thank you for your support—I look forward to sharing these moments with you at Maryland Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore!
JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO
Artistic Director & Conductor
Patrick Raynard Principal Bass
Curt Armbruster Principal Timpani
David Perkel Principal Trombone
Alex Kovling Principal Horn
Sarah Hart Principal Viola
Photo of ASO Musicians by Richard Brown
JARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
José -Luis Novo
T he Philip Richebourg Chair
osé-Luis Novo, Philip Richebourg
Artistic Director Chair, is in his twenty-first season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO), making him the longest-serving artistic leader in the orchestra’s history. Since his appointment in 2005, Maestro Novo has shaped the ASO with a bold artistic vision, fostering continuous growth and dynamic collaborations with renowned musicians. His leadership has earned the ASO widespread acclaim, including a 2008 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, a national broadcast on NPR’s Performance Today, and regular features on Baltimore’s WBJC classical station.
Under his baton, the ASO has performed with distinguished artists such as cellists Steven Isserlis and Lynn Harrell, violinists James Ehnes, Midori, Anne Akiko Meyers, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Vadim Gluzman, CheeYun, and Esther Yoo, guitarists Pepe Romero and Manuel Barrueco, and pianists Leon Fleisher, Peter Serkin,
Pascal Rogé, Gabriela Montero, Olga Kern, Brian Ganz, and Jon Nakamatsu.
A milestone performance was the ASO’s 50th Anniversary Gala Concert with mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in 2012.
A champion of contemporary music, Maestro Novo has led the ASO in premiering numerous works, including those commissioned through the multiyear initiative Embracing 21st
Photo of José-Luis Novo by Richard Brown
Century Voices in partnership with the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music.
Born in Valladolid, Spain, he began his musical studies at the local conservatory, earning the degree of Profesor Superior de Violín with honors. A Spanish Ministry of Culture scholarship took him to the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, where he earned a First Prize in violin. In 1988, he came to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar, earning Master of Music and Master of Musical Arts degrees from Yale University, where he received the Frances G. Wickes Award and the Yale School of Music Alumni Association Prize. He later completed a Master of Music in orchestral conducting at the Cleveland Institute of Music and furthered his studies at the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music.
From 2003 to 2016, Maestro Novo served as Music Director and Conductor of the Binghamton Philharmonic in New York. He has guest-conducted leading orchestras in the U.S. and Spain and made a successful debut with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2015 Thailand International Composition Festival, returning multiple times. His operatic credits include Smetana’s The Bartered Bride in collaboration with the late Maestro Julius Rudel, as well as productions of Britten’s Albert Herring, Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, and Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea.
A dedicated music educator, Maestro Novo has held conducting positions with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Miami University Symphony Orchestra, and National Repertory Orchestra. Since 1999, he has been on the conducting faculty at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has also led ensembles at institutions such as the Curtis Institute of Music, Cleveland Institute of Music, Bard Conservatory, and Venezuela’s El Sistema Portuguesa State Youth Orchestra.
In 2017, he was instrumental in founding the Annapolis Symphony Academy (ASA) and continues to mentor and instruct as Director of Orchestral Activities. In 2022, he led the debut performance of the ASA’s Orion Youth Orchestra. This summer, as resident conductor of NYO2, he is preparing the orchestra for performances at Carnegie Hall and a tour to the Edinburgh Music Festival in Scotland. His accolades include a 2010 Annie Award in Performing Arts from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, a 2008 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, and a 2005 Broome County Arts Council Heart of the Arts Award.
Katie Edwards A NOTE FROM INCOMING BOARD CHAIR
Stepping into the role of Board Chair for this extraordinary organization fills me with both pride and nostalgia. My connection to the ASO runs deep—within my family and within my soul.
When I moved to Annapolis in 1995, I was invited on a blind date to an ASO concert by Jib Edwards. That evening not only marked the beginning of my now 25-year marriage, it sparked a profound bond with his mother, Patricia Edwards, that grew through our shared love of music. Pat, ASO’s first Executive Director, left a lasting legacy—one we continue to honor through the Patricia Edwards Chair for Executive Director.
As a Trustee and as Board Chair, I am committed to celebrating and supporting our musicians—both the extraordinary professionals onstage at Maryland Hall and the promising young artists of the Annapolis Symphony Academy. I credit my own music education for instilling the confidence and discipline that have served me throughout my career.
Our ASO musicians dedicate themselves to their craft each day— not just because they are talented, but because music brings them
joy, and in turn, brings joy to all of us. You can see and hear this dedication in every performance, every lesson, every rehearsal, and from each member of the orchestra to our Maestro.
I invite you to join me in supporting this remarkable ensemble and the season we have ahead—whether by attending concerts, championing music education, or making a gift that helps sustain our programs. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Katherine Edwards, MD Vice Chair & incoming Board President
Photo of Katie and Jib Edwards courtesy Katie Edwards
Season 64
H IGHLIGHTS
BELOVED CLASSICS
Antonín Dvoˇrák Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World”
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5
Richard Strauss Don Juan , Op. 20
Aaron Copland Billy the Kid Suite
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
Maurice Ravel Piano Concerto in G major
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
EXTRAORDINARY
GUEST ARTISTRY
Pablo Sainz-Villegas, guitar
Angel Blue, soprano
Olga Kern, piano
Pascal Rogé, piano
LIVING COMPOSERS
Reinaldo Moya
Arturo Márquez
Gabriela Ortiz
FEATURED ASO MUSICIANS
Alex Kovling, Principal Horn
Kimberly Valerio, Principal Flute
Curt Armbruster, Principal Timpani
Olga Kern
Angel Blue
Gabriela Ortiz
Pascal Rogé
Photo by Chris Lee
Photo by Dario Acosta
Pablo Sainz-Villegas
Photo by Lisa Mazzuco
Photo by Van Weyenbergh
Photo by Mara Arteaga
OCT 10 - 11, 2025
Arturo
Márquez Guitar Concerto, “Místico y Profano” with Pablo Sainz-Villegas, guitar
Reinaldo Moya
Polo Romanesco
Arturo Márquez
Guitar Concerto, “Místico y Profano,”
Pablo Sainz-Villegas, guitar
Antonín Dvoˇrák
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World”
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Photo of Pablo Sainz Villegas by Christine Busch
A NEW WORLD
Internationally renowned Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz-Villegas joins the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra to share his passion for classical guitar with his fellow countryman, Maestro José-Luis Novo. This performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the brilliance of two Spanish-born artists in one unforgettable evening. Contemporary Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s new guitar concerto, written specifically for Sainz-Villegas himself and subtitled “Mystical and Profane,” is a virtuosic and emotional work that won’t disappoint.
The program opens with Venezuelan-American composer Reinaldo Moya’s Polo Romanesco, a contemporary reflection on heritage and innovation, setting the stage for one of classical music’s most beloved symphonies: Dvoˇrák’s “New World” Symphony. Inspired by African American spirituals and Indigenous melodies, Dvoˇrák’s masterpiece captures the boundless spirit of discovery and cultural exchange, inspired by the Czech composer’s visit to America. From its soaring melodies to its poignant longing, the “New World” Symphony stands as a testament to music’s power to transcend borders and generations.
Where Have I Heard this Before?
Antonín Dvoˇrák, Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95, “From the New World” Performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, conductor
When the “New World” Symphony premièred at Carnegie Hall in 1893, the end of every movement was met with thunderous clapping. It was one of the greatest public triumphs of Dvoˇrák’s career. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took a tape recording including the “New World” Symphony along during the Apollo 11 mission, the first Moon landing, in 1969. One of Dvoˇrák’s students, William Arms Fisher, put words to the longing melody from the second movement. He called the new song, “Goin' Home,” and published it in 1922. Set in the style of an old American spiritual, the song was played after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Since then, it has been used for the funeral services of U.S. presidents, dignitaries, and soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as in TV and movies.
Mahler Symphony № 5
Jean Sibelius The Swan of Tuonela , Op. 22, No. 2
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 5
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Photo of ASO Principal Horn Alex Kovling by Richard Brown
DARKNESS TO LIGH T
Sibelius’ The Swan of Tuonela opens the evening with its dark, dreamlike beauty. Inspired by Finnish mythology, this atmospheric tone poem depicts a swan gliding through the waters of the underworld, its song carried by the haunting voice of the English horn. With rich, brooding harmonies and a sense of quiet inevitability, Sibelius transports the listener to a world both distant and deeply moving.
Mahler’s 5th Symphony moves between powerful, mournful themes in the opening funeral march, to moments of joyful exuberance in the Scherzo, to a slow, intensely lyrical movement for strings and harp in the famous Adagietto, and ending with a massive rondo. The music is an emotional odyssey that moves from darkness into radiant light, punctuated by longing, exuberance, and finally, triumph. Throughout the performance, expect virtuosic solos from ASO Principal Horn Alex Kovling and others.
Where Have I Heard this Before?
Gustav Mahler, Symphony No. 5
Performed by the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Myung-Whun Chung, conductor
Herbert von Karajan, conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 34 years, once said that when you hear Mahler’s 5th, “you forget that time has passed. A great performance of the Fifth is a transforming experience.” The beautiful Adagietto movement is perhaps the most familiar piece of Mahler’s musical output. Leonard Bernstein conducted it during the funeral mass for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on June 8, 1968. Featured in the 1971 Luchino Visconti film Death in Venice , it was also used in commemorative events following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Opera Selections with Angel Blue,
soprano
Claude Debussy
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun)
Opera Selections
Works to be announced, Angel Blue, soprano
Richard Strauss
Don Juan , Op. 20
Aaron Copland
Billy the Kid Suite
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 2026
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026
MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE | 3:00 PM*
*This concert is not part of the 2025-26 Signature Series Subscription. Purchase tickets at Strathmore.org/calendar starting August 1, 2025. JAN 30 - FEB 1, 2026
Photo of Angel Blue by Dario Acosto
L EGENDS
A program of legendary figures—both real and imagined—features the Annapolis debut of two-time Grammy-winning soprano Angel Blue performing a selection of operatic works. Known for her radiant voice and commanding stage presence, Blue has graced the world’s leading opera houses. In this special performance, she shares her extraordinary artistry with ASO audiences, to a selection of operatic works, making this an experience you don’t want to miss!
The program opens with Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun , an impressionistic masterpiece that shimmers with color and sensuality. Inspired by Mallarmé’s symbolist poetry, the work drifts between dream and reality, with the flute—performed by ASO Principal Flute Kimberly Valerio—playing the role of the mythical Faun himself.
Strauss’ Don Juan follows, demanding precision, passion, and dazzling orchestral technique. This symphonic poem brings the story of the infamous rogue to life with fiery energy and sweeping romance, spotlighting the exceptional skill of the ASO string sections.
The concert closes with Copland’s suite from Billy the Kid —a distinctly American legend told through bold, open harmonies and rugged rhythms. Blending folk tunes with cinematic sweep, Copland’s music captures the Wild West with unforgettable themes and unmistakable energy.
Where Have I Heard this Before?
“Mi chiamano Mimì” from Giacomo Puccini's La Bohème, Performed by Angel Blue and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Angel Blue has emerged in recent seasons as one of the most influential sopranos before the public today. The two-time Grammy Award winner, 2020 Beverly Sills Award recipient, and the 2022 Richard Tucker Award winner is celebrated worldwide for her honeyed soprano and affecting deliveries of many of the most beloved roles in the operatic repertory. As an alumna of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, University of Redlands, and later UCLA, the soprano enjoys hometown hero status during appearances in the United States, especially in California.
FEB 27 - MAR 1, 2026
Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto № 2 with Olga Kern, piano
Silvestre Revueltas
Janitzio
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Olga Kern, piano
William Dawson
Negro Folk Symphony
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, MARCH 1, 2026
MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE | 3:00 PM*
*This concert is not part of the 2025-26 Signature Series Subscription. Purchase tickets at Strathmore.org/calendar starting August 1, 2025.
Photo of Olga Kern by Chris Lee
ECHOES OF HER ITAGE
Rachmaninoff’s unforgettable melodies, emotional depth, technical brilliance, and rich orchestral textures are instantly recognizable and stay with listeners long after the music ends. His Second Piano Concerto expresses a wide range of emotions, from passionate intensity to melancholic longing, often reflecting his personal experiences.
Renowned for her technical skill and musicality, Olga Kern returns to the ASO at Maryland Hall in Annapolis and the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda to perform one of the most beloved works in the piano repertoire. Kern’s artistry embodies the brilliance, bold expression, and emotional depth that define Rachmaninoff’s style.
The evening begins with Silvestre Revueltas’ Janitzio , an energetic, colorful orchestral piece inspired by Mexican folk traditions. Evoking the lively spirit of the island town for which it is named, Janitzio is a vibrant celebration of culture and movement.
Closing the program is William Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony, a powerful, richly orchestrated work drawing on African American spirituals and folk melodies. Weaving traditional themes into a sweeping symphonic form, it offers a profound reflection on heritage and resilience.
Where Have I Heard this Before?
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Mvt II Performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Yuja Wang, piano, Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
In both 2023 and 2024, this piece was voted number one in Classic FM’s annual Classical Music “Hall of Fame” poll. Numerous films—such as William Dieterle’s September Affair (1950), Charles Vidor’s Rhapsody (1954), and Billy Wilde’s The Seven Year Itch (1955)—borrow themes from the concerto. It has also inspired popular songs, including Frank Sinatra’s “I Think of You,” from the second theme of the first movement, and “Full Moon and Empty Arms,” from the second theme of the third movement. Eric Carmen’s 1975 ballad "All by Myself" is based on the second movement.
APR 10 - 11, 2026
Ravel Piano Concerto in G major with Pascal Rogé, piano
Gabriela Ortiz
Antrópolis
Maurice Ravel
Piano Concerto in G major, Pascal Rogé, piano
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 5 in D minor, Op. 47
FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2026
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Photo of Pascal Rogé by Van Weyenbergh
R HYTHM TO R EVOLUTION
A program of rhythm, color, and contrast, this concert brings together the energy of jazz-infused Ravel, the striking modernity of Gabriela Ortiz, and the raw power of Shostakovich.
Inspired by the dynamic cultural life of Mexico City, Grammy Award-winning composer Gabriela Ortiz’ Antrópolis is a thrilling contemporary piece that showcases the percussion section, with ASO Principal Timpanist Curt Armbruster taking a featured role. A hypnotic waltz that incorporates elements of American blues and jazz, Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major reflects his mastery as an orchestrator and his ability to create beautiful and colorful harmonies. A French pianist renowned for his interpretations of French repertoire, Pascal Rogé brings color, poetry, and brilliant technique to the stage as the featured guest soloist.
The concert closes with Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5, a work of gripping intensity and symphonic power. Written at a time of political turmoil, the symphony moves from brooding introspection to a stirring, triumphant finale—one that has sparked debate over whether it expresses defiant resilience or state-mandated celebration. Either way, its sheer force and complexity make it one of the most compelling symphonies of the 20th century and an unforgettable way to end the ASO’s 64th season.
Where Have I Heard this Before?
Maurice Ravel, Piano Concerto in G major Performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra with Martha Argerich, piano, Yuri Temirkanov, conductor
While touring the U.S. in 1928, Ravel was impressed by jazz, Negro spirituals, and the excellence of American orchestras. He then incorporated elements of jazz and Basque folk music into the orchestration of this piece. Ravel toyed with the idea of calling it Zaspiak-Bat (The Seven Are One), a single movement work with seven episodes, each using a theme from one of the seven Basque provinces. He wrote the composition in the spirit of Mozart and Saint-Saëns, chiefly to entertain.
HOLIDAY POPS
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2025
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2025
SEVERNA PARK HIGH SCHOOL
3:00 PM
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Photo of ASO Musicians by Richard Brown
Signature Series
L E G ENDS
Opera Selections with Angel Blue, soprano
SUN FEB 1 | 3:00 PM DEBUSSY, STRAUSS, COPLAND
Signature Series
ECH O ES OF HE R ITAGE
Rachmaninoff Piano
Concerto No. 2 with Olga Kern, piano
SUN MAR 1 | 3:00 PM
REVUELTAS, RACHMANINOFF, DAWSON
These concerts are not part of the 2025-26 Signature Series or FlexPass Subscriptions. Purchase tickets at strathmore.org/calendar beginning August 1, 2025.
Stay Tuned
Details about our 2026 Family Concert and 2025-26 Chamber concerts will be announced soon. Purchase your tickets by visiting our website or calling the Box Office at 410-263-0907 starting August 1, 2025.
Photo by Richard Brown
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Photo of violinist
Netanel Draiblate by Richard Brown
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FRIDAYS 7:30 PM A New World OCT 10
SATURDAYS 7:30 PM A New World OCT 11
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MUSICIANS Meet Our
VIOLIN I
Netanel Draiblate, Concertmaster
Nicholas Currie, Associate Concertmaster
Abby Armbruster
Yoon Young Bae
Susan Benac
Heather Haughn
Wan-Chun Hu
Hanbing Jia
Rachael Stockton
William Wang
Qian Zhong
VIOLIN II
Christian Tremblay, Principal
Kristin Bakkegard, Associate Principal
Sally Stallings Amass
Megan Gray
Karin Kelleher
Alexandra Mikhlin
VIOLA
Sarah Hart, Principal
Derek Smith, Associate Principal
Daphne Benichou
Susan Taylor Dapkunas
Andrew Eng
Rachel Holaday
Brian Shoop
Kate Zahradnik
CELLO
Todd Thiel, Principal
Pei Lu, Associate Principal
Alison Bazala Kim
Nicole Boguslaw
Catherine Mikelson
MaryAnn Perkel
Daniel Shomper
April Studeny
BASS
Patrick Raynard, Principal
Benjamin Crofut, Associate Principal
Peter Cohn
Adriane Irving
Broc Mertz
Brandon Smith
FLUTE
Kimberly Valerio, Principal
Genevieve Eichman
OBOE
Fatma Daglar, Principal
Rick Basehore
CLARINET
Robert DiLutis, Principal
Brian Eldridge
BASSOON
Asha Kline, Principal
Patricia Morgan
HORN
Alex Kovling, Principal
Shane Iler, Associate Principal Kevin Grasel
Ho Hin Kwong
Anthony Valerio
TRUMPET
Christopher Sala, Principal
Christopher Buchanan Andrew Fremder
TROMBONE
David Perkel, Principal
David Sciannella
Jay Heltzer
TUBA
Jake Fewx, Principal
TIMPANI
Curt Armbruster, Principal
PERCUSSION
William Kan, Principal
HARP
Katherine Ventura, Principal
M USICIAN
S ponsorships
WHEN YOU SPONSOR AN ASO MUSICIAN, YOU ESTABLISH A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH THE ORCHESTRA.
Blown away by the bassoon? Transported by the timpani? Fascinated by the flute? When you sponsor an ASO musician, you see first hand the dedication, passion, and skill they bring to each performance. Your generosity creates a connection from our patrons to our musicians, and showcases your strong support for our musician’s immense talent.
WHY SPONSOR AN ASO MUSICIAN?
Sponsors see first-hand the dedication, passion, and skill our musicians bring to each ASO performance. Your generosity demonstrates your support for their talent and dedication.
WHAT DOES SPONSORSHIP COST?
All sponsorships are 100% tax-deductible.
Section Musicians: $2,500
Associate Principal Musicians: $5,000
Principal Musicians: $7,500
Learn More and Sponsor Online at: AnnapolisSymphony.org/sponsoramusician
David Perkel Principal Trombone
ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY
Academy
THE ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ACADEMY (ASA) IS CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY MUSICAL EDUCATION THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO ALL STUDENTS.
An educational program of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra now in its eighth year, the ASA serves over 155 students through ensemble instruction and private lessons. Thanks to our donors, all ensembles are free for students and the ASA offers need-based financial aid for private lessons and group classes for qualified families. ASA now offers Discovery, an early music program, in community centers and schools throughout Anne Arundel County.
fast facts about the
• We have grown from 26 students enrolled in 2018 to over 155 students today.
• Our faculty are musicians from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
• Our programs are located throughout Anne Arundel County.
academy
• We support and mentor a young musician’s journey from beginner to advanced.
• More than 50% of our students receive need-based scholarships and many receive refurbished instruments.
THERE'S A STORY IN EVERY PRACTICE ROOM AND ON EVERY STAGE. FIND YOURS.
Photo courtesy of Annapolis Symphony Academy
Thank You to Our Community Partners
ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ACADEMY
Friends of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (FASO)
Temple Beth Shalom
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Chesapeake Arts Center
Anne Arundel County
Public Schools (AACPS) -
APEX Arts Magnet Program
Maryland State Government House
Elville Center for the Arts
Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain
City of Annapolis Heritage Commission
Annapolis Friends of Lafayette
Annapolis Heritage Society
Annapolis Bows & Violins
Annapolis Moms Media
Quiet Waters Park
The Salvation Army
Marshall Hope Learning Center
Robin Wood Community Center
Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis
Banneker Douglass Harriett Tubman Museum
Maryland Council for Civic & History Education
City of Laurel Health and Wellness Fair
Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians
Luminus Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
Arundel Lodge, Inc.
Wellness House of Annapolis
The Talent Machine Company
ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County
Friends of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (FASO)
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Maryland State Arts Council
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Bates Middle School
Brooklyn Park Middle School
Anne Arundel Recreation and Parks Department
Quiet Waters Park & Downs Park
Historic Annapolis
Maryland Commission on Middle Eastern Affairs
Luminus Health McNew Mental Health Center
Luminus Health Pathways Substance Use Services
Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, Lanham
Hospice of Chesapeake
Ginger Cove Retirement Community
Baywoods of Annapolis United States Naval Academy (USNA) Music Department
The Annapolis Opera
Classic Theatre of Maryland
Live Arts Maryland
Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Naptown Sings
Bowie State University
St. John’s University
Wellness House of Annapolis
Why Give?
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is more than music. When you support the ASO, you’re investing in a cultural institution that educates, heals, inspires, invests in our youth, reaches out to those struggling, and connects with our community.
WE ARE A SYMPHONY FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
Your gift helps us bring music to more people in more places across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County:
Free Community Performances: We offer concerts at hospitals, assisted living centers, and behavioral health facilities—reaching those who may not otherwise experience live music. Our partnerships with medical facilities like Luminis Health and Hospice of the Chesapeake help us bring healing through music.
Special Event Performances: We show up for Annapolis—whether at the downtown tree lighting, memorial services, school concerts, or major public events.
Where Music Meets Equity: More than 2,600 Maryland students experienced the joy of orchestral music last year thanks to ASO programs. 1 in 4 of these students came from Title I schools. Over 50% of our Academy students receive need-based scholarships.
Music Education That Changes Lives:
The Annapolis Symphony Academy was founded with a mission to change lives by providing an accessible high-level music education to all students. The Academy is home to the Orion Youth Orchestra, the only local youth orchestra performing under the ASO's Maestro with side-by-side professional mentorship.
Your commitment as a subscriber and donor ensures that the ASO continues to thrive and serve our community. To subscribe for the upcoming season and make an additional gift, please visit AnnapolisSymphony.org/support or contact us at: ebr@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3635.
While your subscription lays the foundation, additional gifts further the ASO's mission to inspire, educate, and connect. By making a tax-deductible donation, you can enjoy exclusive benefits:
$100+ – Program Recognition Be acknowledged in our Signature Series concert programs.
$500+ – Dress Rehearsal Invitations Attend select Thursday night rehearsals for an insider's view.
$1,000+ – Crescendo Club Access Join our post-concert donor lounge to mingle with musicians and leadership.
$2,500+ – Music at Midmorning & Musician Dinner Enjoy intimate performances and dine with ASO musicians, deepening your connection to the orchestra.
Photo of José-Luis Novo and Pepe Romero at the home of Jillinda Kidwell by Diana Love
What’s Up? Media has been a proud supporting partner of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra for over 25 Years.
ERICA BONDAREV RAPACH
Executive Director
ebr@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3635
SARAH JOHANSEN
Director of Business Operations
sjohansen@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3637
JULIE NOLAN
Director of Education, Community Outreach, & Grants
ASA Assistant Director jnolan@AnnapolisSymphony.org 443-223-8445
NETANEL DRAIBLATE
Founder & Director, Annapolis Symphony Academy
ndraiblate@AnnapolisSymphony.org 443-454-0609
DIANA LOVE
Director of Marketing & Communications
dlove@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3621
OLIVIA REN
Orchestra Librarian
oren@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3647
Director of Artistic Operations
mfogel@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3632 MIRIAM FOGEL
mmcatee@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3636
DAVID SCIANNELLA
dsciannella@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410-267-3648
Photo of ASO Staff by Richard Brown
2024 -25 Board of Trustees
SHELLEY ROW, PE, CSP Chair
OFFICERS
KATHERINE EDWARDS, MD Vice Chair & Incoming Board Chair
ANN WHITCOMB Vice President-Finance
ROBERT ARIAS
GEORGIANNA CROSBY
WILLIAM DAVIS
GINGER FROM SONJA GLADWIN
STEPHEN SOTACK Treasurer
MONIQUE Y. LANGSTON Secretary
TRUSTEES
CHARLIE GRUDZINSKAS
COLLOT GUERARD
MICHELLE HELLSTERN
WILLIAM HOFF
DEB HOWE
GERALDINE “MIMI” LADD JONES
JEANNE KELLY ELIZABETH MAXWELL-SCHMIDT, MD
MARY MCKIEL, PHD Immediate Past Chair
MARIE TREANOR
TRUSTEE EMERITUS
FLORENCE CALVERT JILL KIDWELL
JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO
EX OFFICIO TRUSTEES
Artistic Director & Conductor
ANN TRAN FASO Board Representative
ERICA BONDAREV RAPACH Executive Director
ORCHESTRA REPRESENTATIVE
ALEXANDRA MIKHLIN Musicians’ Representative, Players’ Committee
