KSO News

Kalamazoo, MI August 25, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has opened single ticket purchases for all of its 2016-17 season concerts. 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!

Kalamazoo, MI August 9, 2016 - The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and Management is pleased to announce that it reached a formal tentative Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with its musicians. The Kalamazoo Federation of Musicians – Local 228 will submit the new tentative contract for ratification by its musicians and, thereafter, the KSO management will submit the contract to the Board of Directors for ratification as well. Instrumental in reaching this tentative agreement was the rehearsal schedule for the KSO’s Symphonic Series concerts; one evening rehearsal per day instead of the two rehearsals.
 

Kalamazoo, MI July 20, 2016 - The Kalamazoo Symphonic Musicians, an organization that includes musicians of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra living in our area, have taken it upon themselves to offer a free summer afternoon concert in Bronson park on Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. “We applaud this initiative,” said Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. “Not only is the return of the Summer Park Concerts an important goal in the KSO’s Strategic Plan, but the fact that our musicians have now taken it upon themselves to initiate this concert and are volunteering their time, is incredible. Especially during their annual vacation month of August, which is the month in which the KSO cannot plan any concerts for them.”
 

Kalamazoo, MI, June 16, 2016 The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and Overneath Creative Collective (OCC) have come together to bring new music opportunities to Kalamazoo. The KSO recently received a gift of a new Steinway D Concert Grand piano from a generous, anonymous donor.  The donor has also provided additional funds to maintain, tune and move the piano for the KSO concerts and desired that it be housed at the Overneath recording facility in Kalamazoo, where it will be available for musicians to use for select recording sessions.

Kalamazoo, MI June 16, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra announces the purchase of new Aria music stand lighting to improve performance quality through excellent stage conditions for all musicians in the orchestra. Aria Diva lights are top in the industry and are used by many leading orchestras in the US including Cleveland, Philadelphia, New York, Dallas, and Houston.
 

Kalamazoo, MI June 13, 2016 – The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors proudly announces the extension of Peter H. Gistelinck’s contract as its President & CEO for an additional term, through the end of the 2021-2022 concert season. Mr. Gistelinck was initially selected for the position following an international search in 2013 and began his tenure as President & CEO in May 2014.

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.

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.

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.

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.