User:Fordm35/sandbox/Symphony Pro Musica

Symphony Pro Musica

Symphony Pro Musica (SPM) was founded in 1983. The orchestra is a regional orchestra based in Hudson, Massachusetts. SPM performs at Hudson High School's Auditorium and at The Putnam Family Arts Center at St. Mark's School in Southborough, Massachusetts. Through the years, SPM has also performed in the Massachusetts cities and towns of Acton, Bolton, Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg, Leominster, Lenox, Pittsfield, Sheffield, Whitinsville, and Mechanics Hall in Worcester.

The founding music director and conductor of the orchestra is Mark Churchill, founder of El Sistema USA and Dean Emeritus of Preparatory and Continuing Education and Senior Advisor of the New England Conservatory.

Under the direction of Dr. Churchill, the orchestra is composed of approximately 70 volunteer musicians drawn from the local communities. In addition to popular classical favorites, the orchestra performs less frequently played and challenging pieces, often thematically organized. SPM features gifted young soloists and established artists. Through our close association with area choruses, dance groups, and vocal soloists, Symphony Pro Musica offers a rich variety of opera, choral, and ballet programs to its audience.

Soloists who have performed with the orchestra include pianist George Li, violinists Ilana Zaks, Ayano Ninomiya, and Angelo Xiang Yu, cellist s Zlatomir Fung and Jonah Ellsworth, trumpet player Elmer Churampi, soprano Barbara Quintiliani, and harp player Charles Overton

Symphony Pro Musica actively reaches out to its community. Students and first-time concertgoers are always admitted free, tickets are distributed to local senior centers and libraries, and discounted tickets are available to seniors and groups. In addition, orchestra members and soloists make regular visits to local schools, performing pieces, answering student questions, and educating the audience. There are pre-concert lectures that supplement and build upon the program notes.