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News & Stories
BOLZ YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION
Preliminary Round:
Early January
Semi-Final Round:
Late January (not open to the public)
Final Round (The Final Forte): Wednesday, March 3, 2021, on Overture Hall stage
The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a highlyregarded statewide competition in which Wisconsin’s young musicians compete for scholarships and the opportunity to perform as soloists with the MSO. The competition is open to Wisconsin residents in grades 9–12. The four semi-finalists compete in The Final Forte on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Overture Hall.
We are accepting applications for this year’s competition through Monday, January 11, 2021, with a few changes to the rules and procedures. First, we regret that we are not able to accept any wind or brass applications this year, as all instrumentalists will need to wear a mask during the entire audition/performance process. Additionally, all applicants must make sure their preferred audition piece is approved by the MSO. More information on changes to this years’ procedures, as well as the competition application, are available online at madisonsymphony.org/bolz.
Wisconsin Young Artists Compete:
The Final Forte 2020 concert and broadcasts are the result of a historic partnership among the Madison Symphony Orchestra, PBS Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Public Radio.
Major funding provided by:
Diane Ballweg, Stephen Morton, W. Jerome Frautschi, A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust, Julie & Larry Midtbo, Fred & Mary Mohs and Elizabeth Olson
With additional funding from:
Bell Laboratories, James Dahlberg & Elsebet Lund, Kato Perlman, Cyrena & Lee Pondrom, Sentry Insurance Foundation, Darcy Kind & Marc Vitale, Dr. A. Beyer-Mears, Nick & Judith Topitzes, the Focus Fund for Young Performers, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
Emily Hauer, Jonathan Kartman, Kyle Knox, Michael Wu, Jessica Jiang
Michael Wu, Piano
Jessica Jiang, Piano
Jonathan Kartman, Violin
Emily Hauer, Violin
The Madison Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing outstanding educational and community engagement opportunities throughout south-central Wisconsin. Reaching over 25,000 children and adults each year, we engage music enthusiasts of all ages and abilities through our partnerships with schools, community centers, and assisted living facilities. Join us as we embark on a journey to enrich, engage and inspire!
madisonsymphony.org/education
SYMPHONY MOMENTS
Relive memories from our “Where will the music take you?” 2019–2020 season concerts we experienced together. View the collection of more than 100 photos and links to reviews online at:
madisonsymphony.org/moments
Connect With Us!
View our online calendar to get the latest details about concerts, performances, and events, 24/7 on your computer, tablet or mobile phone:
madisonsymphony.org/ calendar
Stay connected via email
We send monthly e-newsletters as well as other periodic news announcements, special promotions, and more. Learn more:
madisonsymphony.org/ email
Be a part of our community!
One of the best ways to keep up with the latest MSO happenings is to join our online social media community.
MUSICIANS CORNER
Monthly Bach Concert Series Resumes - Online
Now in its 3rd season of monthly Bach concerts, Just Bach presents instrumental solos, chamber music, and concertos this year, ending each program with the popular Chorale sing-along. The dates fall on the 3rd Wednesday of each month: Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 17, Apr 21, May 19., all at 12:00 Noon. MSO violinist Leanne League and MSO violist Marika Fischer Hoyt are among the players. You can view concert videos on the Just Bach YouTube channel. Visit justbach.org for more information.
MUSICIANS HONORED AT VIRTUAL MSO BOARD MEETING
At the 2019–2020 Board of Directors Meeting held virtually in June, two musicians and one Madison Symphony Chorus member received awards given out each year for their outstanding dedication to their respective organizations.
The Margaret Rupp Cooper Award, named for Ms. Cooper who was a harpist with the Symphony for 50 years, was presented to two orchestra members based upon years of service, commitment to orchestra, and musicianship. This year’s recipients were Dave Cooper (trumpet) and Jon Vriesacker (violin).
The Ann Stanke Award was also presented to Madison Symphony Chorus member Joanne Berg. The award is given in honor of the former accompanist and manager of the Chorus.
LEADERSHIP DONOR EVENT WARMLY RECEIVED
In early September, MSO arranged an exclusive opportunity for our Leadership Donors to watch a live, online piano recital performed by the great French pianist, Philippe Bianconi, from his Paris living room. Music Director John DeMain joined Mr. Bianconi on screen for lively conversation between pieces. The program, entitled “Live From Paris,” included three gorgeous works for solo piano which Mr. Bianconi performed on his beautiful Steinway Model B: Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31 in A flat Major, Op. 110; Etude No. 11 “Pour les arpèges composes” by Debussy, and Chopin’s Ballade No. 3 in A flat Major, Op. 47.
Our Development Team received many words of thanks and John DeMain and Philippe Bianconi positive feedback after the event. “The concert by Philippe Bianconi was absolutely fabulous! We watched and listened from Aspen. He was marvelous in his personal comments and explanations of what fascinates him about each of the pieces he played. What a warm person and sensational pianist! Our great thanks to MSO for making this possible for us.” said one viewer. Another viewer wrote, “Kudos to you and all who were involved in this production. Sound quality was amazing and video superior. Thanks for organizing and offering this special event.”
Leadership Donors are those individuals who contribute $1,500 or more to the Symphony’s annual fund. To learn more, visit madisonsymphony.org/leadership or contact our Development Department.
Special thanks to MKI Artists and OurConcerts.live for arranging Mr. Bianconi’s appearance and for their technical production.
PIPE ADOPTION HONORS ELLSWORTH BROWN
Friends of the Overture Concert Organ’s (FOCO) 2019–2020 Board of Directors recently honored their Immediate Past President, Ellsworth Brown, by adopting a pipe in his honor through the Symphony’s Adopt-a-Stop program. The group effort, led by current president James Baxter, resulted in over $1,000 in tribute contributions from individual board members. Principal Organist and Curator, Greg Zelek, visited Brown’s home this summer to surprise him with the tribute and deliver an adoption certificate showing that the Overture Concert Organ’s Solo Harmonic Flute 8’ - E3 pipe was adopted in his honor.
A flute pipe was selected because Brown played the flute as a teenager. He served as FOCO President from 2018-2020 and was recently elected President of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. “I’m deeply appreciative of this recognition by the FOCO Board of Directors and look forward to my continued Dorothy and Ellsworth Brown, and Greg Zelek association via a different role in the future,” said Brown.
The Adopt-a-Stop program provides opportunities starting at $1,000 to adopt a pipe, stop, or other aspect of the Overture Concert Organ in one’s own name or in honor of loved ones. Adopt-a-Stop contributions benefit the Organ Endowment Fund, a designated fund within the Madison Symphony Orchestra Endowment which supports organ programming and maintenance. Contributions are tax-deductible. Visit madisonsymphony.org/adoptastop to learn more.
Friends of the Overture Concert Organ help make organ concerts and free events throughout the year possible. Learn more and make a special gift today to support organ programming in our community:
