New Haven Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is an American symphony orchestra located in New Haven, Connecticut. It held its first concert in 1895, making it the fourth oldest orchestra in the United States. Today, more than 65 professional musicians play in the orchestra. Most of them live and work near New Haven. Maestro Alasdair Neale leads the NHSO. The orchestra celebrated its 125th birthday on January 25, 2020.
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How the Orchestra Started
The NHSO was created in 1894 by Morris Steinert, a music seller, and Horatio William Parker, who led Yale University's music department. Many early American orchestras were in big cities like Boston or New York City. But Steinert and Parker managed to form a strong orchestra with local musicians in a smaller city.
The first members of the NHSO were mostly German-Americans. They wanted to continue the orchestral traditions from their home country in the United States. At that time, classical music was not as popular in the U.S.
First Concert and Early Days
The NHSO's first performance was on January 25, 1895. It took place at a theater on Chapel Street in New Haven. The concert featured music by famous composers like Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Schubert. Isidore Troostwyk, a violinist and Yale Professor, performed two solos. He also served as the orchestra's lead violinist, known as the concertmaster.
In its early years, the NHSO worked closely with Yale University. The orchestra's conductors often came from the School of Music faculty. Yale also helped the orchestra with money and organization. Before Woolsey Hall was built in 1901, the orchestra played in different places around New Haven.
In 1901, the new Woolsey Hall became the main place for NHSO concerts. The first concert there featured an organ concerto, using the hall's famous organ.
Pops Concerts Begin
The Pops concert series started in 1945. The first show was indoors at the New Haven Arena. Later that summer, four more concerts were held at the Yale Bowl. A special stage was built there for outdoor shows. These outdoor concerts were very successful, bringing almost 40,000 people in the first summer.
For over 125 years, the NHSO has continued its traditions of performing and teaching. It supports programs in schools and the community. The orchestra plays both classical and pops concerts. It has performed regularly in New Haven and toured throughout Connecticut and beyond. This includes shows at famous venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. The NHSO also made the first-ever recording of Mahler's complete five-movement first symphony.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra continues to bring music to people in the region. It offers many different musical experiences, played to a very high standard.
What Programs Does the NHSO Offer?
The NHSO offers different types of concert series for all ages.
Classics Series at Woolsey Hall
The Symphony Series includes seven concerts held at Woolsey Hall in New Haven. Alasdair Neale, the Music Director, conducts these shows. They feature classical music from different time periods. These concerts usually happen on selected Thursday nights.
Before each concert, there are free "Prelude lectures" with a guest speaker. Also, the "Student Showcase" takes place 45 minutes before the concert. It features talented students from the area performing in the rotunda of Woolsey Hall.
Pops Series
The NHSO Pops Series takes place on selected Saturday afternoons in Hamden, CT, and Sunday afternoons in Shelton, CT. These popular shows feature music not usually found in classical concerts. This includes styles like flamenco, vocal jazz, and big band music.
Family Series
The NHSO Family Series offers a fun way to learn about the orchestra. These programs are made especially for children and their families. Family concerts happen on certain Saturdays and Sundays in New Haven and Shelton. Before each concert, there's an "Instrument Discovery Zone." Here, children can try out different instruments from the orchestra themselves!
Educational Programs
The NHSO also has special programs to teach students about music.
Young People's Concerts
The NHSO presents Young People’s Concerts for over 10,000 students across Connecticut each year. Through partnerships with schools, the NHSO teaches students about musical instruments, different music styles, and composers. They also provide helpful guides for teachers. The biggest event is the Young People’s Concert for the Greater New Haven community, held in the spring at Woolsey Hall.
Creating Musical Readers
The “Creating Musical Readers” program is for students in Pre-K to 2nd grade. It teaches about instruments from the orchestra's four families while doing reading activities. These events happen at schools, community centers, libraries, and the Connecticut Children’s Museum. Each event features an NHSO musician playing their instrument while a storybook about it is read.
Young Composer Project
The NHSO’s “Young Composer Project” helps high school students study advanced music theory and composition. They learn from award-winning professional composers. After two years of lessons and seminars, the students' own musical pieces are performed by NHSO musicians.
School Night at the Symphony
Every year, one Classic Series concert is called "School Night at the Symphony." Students, teachers, staff, and their families from the greater New Haven area get free tickets to this exciting concert. Special programs for children are handed out. These programs teach students about concert manners, orchestra instruments, and composers.
Famous Guest Artists
The NHSO has worked with many famous artists and soloists over the years. Some well-known names include Vladimir Ashkenazy, Joshua Bell, Van Cliburn, Renée Fleming, James Galway, Glenn Gould, Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, Itzhak Perlman, Mstislav Rostropovich, Artur Rubinstein, Emanuel Ax, Gil Shaham, and Pinchas Zukerman.
The NHSO Pops Series has also brought legends to New Haven. Famous musicians like Dave Brubeck, Arthur Fiedler, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Wynton Marsalis, Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Artie Shaw, and Sarah Vaughan have performed with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra.
Images for kids
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Cover of program for the orchestra's first concert in 1895
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Program of music for orchestra's first concert, December 5, 1895
