MID-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JULIEN BENICHOU, MUSIC DIRECTOR
The Maestro speaks of his vision for the MSO
My vision for the future of the MSO is so clear that I can almost “hear” it:
 A 70-piece orchestra performing the whole Romantic repertoire in seven to eight symphony concerts and two pop concerts.
At this point, it may be just a dream, but to me it is a real and a realistic goal. We have the talented and professional musicians eager to play with the MSO, our audiences are growing in numbers and display more enthusiasm for symphonic music and the programs we offer, more venues are becoming available in Maryland and Delaware. We have started to present in-school programs, with great impact on the youth of our communities. We have showcased the young winners of our competitions, giving them a chance to perform with the orchestra, as a great reward and real enjoyment for our audience. And we are continuing to bring great classical music to communities which would not have access to symphony performance without the MSO: We are happy to come to them!
But we have to face the reality of the economic times in which we live. Our Season Series will have four concerts, with the hope to have a fifth performance in February, but that will depend on our sponsors, corporate and individual. Our dedicated Board of Directors and many faithful patrons have stepped forward to shore up resources and to support the Arts to the best of their ability. We hope more will join in. We are not able to increase the size of the orchestra because of budgetary constraints and venues sizes. We are so fortunate to have been doing well, bringing virtuoso soloists and artists in our programs, with great support from our fans, in spite of difficult times, which bodes well for the future. With limited means, we are maintaining the momentum and the dynamic MSO Sound!
The Arts are such an important part of the cultural life of our communities. An increasing number of people sense their significance in their own lives, as illustrated by their attendance to our concerts. The MSO is your orchestra. I thank you for embracing it these many Seasons. I see the MSO flourishing in the near future, as the economy recovers, giving us the opportunity to bring the mid-Atlantic region a beautiful musical experience.
Your Maestro
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