Executive Director Brandon VanWaeyenberghe

Dirk Meyer’s Biography, continued

Orchestras, as well as the Music Director position with the Mason Symphony Orchestra in Michigan.

Meyer has studied with teachers like Neeme Järvi and Jorma Panula and, in addition, he assisted with numerous productions at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Germany),as well as at the Vienna State Opera (Austria) and the Teatro Real in Madrid (Spain).

He holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master’s degrees in orchestral conducting from Michigan State University, where he worked with Leon Gregorian and Raphael Jimenez. Here he also worked as Graduate Teaching Assistant. His Bachelor’s Degrees are from the Folkwang Conservatory in Germany (music) as well as University Duisburg-Essen (philosophy). The quote “Music is the space between the notes,” is sometimes attributed to either French composer Claude Debussy or jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. No matter who o cially stated the phrase, the sentiment remains the same – that music needs space to resonate, reverberate and swell to reach its full potential.

However, now nearly a year into this global pandemic that has upended so many aspects of our lives, I have come to view this phrase as something more – that the music we make now is being supported by those who are unable to join us in person. This health crisis has robbed us of social gatherings, and with that, the sense of tradition surrounding the preparation and performance of orchestral music. Not only has our loyal audience been interacting with us in new and virtual spaces, but our musicians are making music in ways that are almost antithetical to the notion of an ensemble. Sitting six feet from your stand partner gives this immense amount of space that forces the musicians to work harder to hear the ensemble and ensure their sound blends as part of the whole. And while this notion of space and distance has spurred innovation and new ways of listening and making music, it has also reminded me of how much I miss seeing each and every musician on the stage and each and every one of you in Symphony Hall.

We continue to work hard, to embrace space, and to make music yet remain hopeful for a return to tradition in the coming year. Until then, know that we remember and hear you, and look forward to filling up those empty spaces soon.

BRANDON VANWAEYENBERGHE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WELCOME LETTER

Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, Executive Diretor Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra