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KSO's Strategic Plan Published

4/29/2016

All around the world, symphony orchestras are under pressure to find the key to operating in challenging and changing times. Traditional symphony audiences are aging. New technologies are providing easily accessible alternatives to live performances in the concert hall. Communities are grappling with persistent social issues, making support and funding for the arts all the more difficult to obtain. Orchestras everywhere are struggling to prove their relevance to their communities.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) is more fortunate than many of its peer organizations. The KSO enjoys the long-standing support and generosity of its community, a consistent subscriber base, and the security that a strong endowment provides. Thanks to strong community support, artistic excellence, a committed staff and board, and strong education and community programs, the KSO has been able to weather the storms of a shifting arts environment. Still, the organization must be ready to adapt, reinvent, and improve in a dynamic and accelerating environment.

In 2014, the KSO was at an important organizational crossroads. With a new leader at the helm, and on the cusp of its upcoming 100th anniversary season (in 2020-2021), the KSO knew the time was right to evaluate all facets of the organization and carefully plan for the future. For eleven months (October 2014 through August 2015), the KSO embarked upon the most wide-ranging and inclusive strategic planning process in the organization’s 95-year history.

The result of the planning process follows: a road map to lead the KSO into its next century.

Tags: 100th anniversary, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kalsym, kso, strategic plan

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to recognize Robert Whaley for 50 years of dedicated service to the KSO

Robert Whaley, Tuba
4/15/2016

Kalamazoo, MI April 15, 2016 – The KSO is always grateful to the eighty-eight musicians that create the exemplary music and educational opportunities that have thrived in the Kalamazoo Community for more than 95 years.  The symphony is proud to retain the talents of these musicians, often for decades.  In this case, they would like to pay special tribute to their Principal Tubist, Robert Whaley, for 50 years of dedication and hard work.

Robert joined the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in 1966 and will be recognized for his 50 years of service at the KSO’s season finale concert – Elgar & Stravinsky, Saturday, April 23, 2016, 8pm at Miller Auditorium.

Tags: 50 years, Bob Whaley, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kso, Principal Tuba, Robert Whaley

KSO presents season finale - Elgar & Stravinsky, featuring Hai-Ye Ni - Saturday, April 23rd at Miller Auditorium

Hai-Ye Ni
4/12/2016

Kalamazoo, MI April 12, 2016 – For their final concert of the 2015-2016 season, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents Elgar & Stravinsky featuring principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Hai-Ye Ni. Ms. Ni will be featured in Elgar’s Cello Concerto.  Also on the program for this season finale concert are Elie Siegmeister’s Lonesome Hollow and Stravinsky’s Russian ballet, Petrouchka.

Tags: Cello, Elgar, Hai-Ye Ni, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, kalsym, kso, Raymond Harvey, season finale, Stay Tuned, Stravinsky

KSO presents final Classics Uncorked and Classics On Tap concerts of the season - April 15 & 16

Classics on Tap
3/30/2016

Kalamazoo, MI March 30, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents the last two concert pairings in its popular chamber series—Classics Uncorked and Classics On Tap. KSO’s classics concerts feature an evening of chamber music favorites played by smaller ensembles of orchestra musicians. The concerts in the KSO’s Classics Series allow patrons to become better acquainted with classical music and KSO musicians in a more social and relaxed atmosphere.

Tags: bells eccentric cafe, burdick-thorne string quartet, classics on tap, classics uncorked, kalamazoo institute of arts, kalsym, kso, piano, Raymond Harvey, Stay Tuned, woodwind quintet

KSO presents US National Premiere of Disney in Concert – Alice in Wonderland Saturday, April 2, 2016

3/22/2016

Kalamazoo, MI March 22, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce that the US National Premiere of Disney in Concert – Alice in Wonderland will debut in Kalamazoo at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium on Saturday April 2, 2016 at 8pm.  This full length film with original voice and sound effects will play on the big screen while Maestro Raymond Harvey leads over 70 KSO musicians, the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, directed by Fred Sang, and the Kalamazoo Singers, directed by Richard Phelps, as they bring Danny Elfman’s amazing and breath-taking score to life.

Tags: Alice in Wonderland, Danny Elfman, Disney, kso, national premiere, Special Event, Stay Tuned, Tim burton

MEDIA ALERT: KSO to dedicate Saturday's concert to victims of the February 20th shootings

Kzoo Love Logo
2/24/2016

Kalamazoo, MI February 24, 2016– The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra announces the dedication of its concert, Al Jarreau in Symphony, this Saturday, February 27 in honor and in memory of all the victims of this past weekend’s tragedy in Kalamazoo. President and CEO Peter H. Gistelinck and Board Chair, Dr. Janice M. Brown, will make the dedication and offer a moment of silence during the evening’s welcoming statements.  
 

Tags: dedication, in honor, kso, kzoo love

KSO Proudly Presents 2016-17 Season - Make Waves

Make Waves
2/19/2016

Kalamazoo, MI February 19, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce its 2016-17 season. From the programming to the artistry, each performance, composition, and note promises to be better than the last as the KSO “Makes Waves” in Kalamazoo this season!

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KSO presents Beethoven & Nielsen featuring Yukie Ota and Yaegy Park - Friday, February 19 at Miller Auditorium

Yukie Ota
2/4/2016

Kalamazoo, MI February 4, 2016 – For their fourth concert of the 2015-2016 Symphonic Series, The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents Beethoven and Nielsen. Yukie Ota, our very own principal flute and YouTube sensation, will perform Nielsen’s Flute Concerto and Yaegy Park, 2015 Stulberg International String Competition Gold Medalist, will perform Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Maestro Raymond Harvey will close the program with Beethoven’s beloved Symphony No. 6.

Tags: Beethoven, kso, Nielsen, Raymond Harvey, Season Kick Off, Yaegy Park, Yukie Ota

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to Receive Getty Education and Community Investment Grant to develop Kalamazoo Kids in Tune Program

KKIT
1/27/2016

Kalamazoo, MI January 27, 2016 – Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is one of only twenty-two orchestras from across the United States selected by the League of American Orchestras to receive a Getty Education and Community Investment Grant. The grant was awarded to develop the orchestra’s Kalamazoo Kids in Tune program, and is a recognition of the KSO’s innovation and dedication to increasing its relevance to the community.

Tags: award, Getty Grant, Kalamazoo Kids In Tune, KCIS, KKIT, KPS, KSO education programs, program development

KSO Presents Family Discovery concert Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery

Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery
1/11/2016

Kalamazoo, MI January 11, 2015 - For their second Family Discovery concert of the season, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery. The KSO is proud to partner with Classical Kids LIVE! this season. The Classical Kids LIVE! concert series is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for classical music and music history, as well as community enrichment through the pairing of professional artists, actors and family-focused programming with local symphony orchestras. The concert will begin promptly at 3pm following the Kushner & Co. Instrument Petting Zoo at 2pm and Meet the Conductor at 2:40pm in the reception room.

Tags: Classical Kids LIVE!, Daniel Brier, Family Discovery, Petting Zoo, Vivaldi