Dear Friends,
I hope that you had a very good winter. We have now completed the 2018-19 season at the Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra. In October, three of our student concerto competition winners had an opportunity to perform solos with the orchestra, each to great acclaim. A lively Holiday Pops concert followed, in which we featured a variety of international selections to add to holiday favorites. The WPO March concert contrasted two compelling symphonies, both entitled “The Pastoral,” by Ludwig van Beethoven and Ralph Vaughan Williams. And we just completed a concert highlighting the music of composers from Africa, with beautiful pieces containing the essence of its harmonies and rhythms. As part of the event, a drumming group presented a spellbinding sample of African music, delighting all in the audience, young and old.
Our orchestral musicians perform for the love of the music and are very ably guided and conducted by our award-winning conductor, Michael Korn, who has completed his 10th season with the WPO.
As is the case everywhere in the arts, however, income from tickets covers only a part of our expenses, which include hall rental and music purchase/rental and licensing fees. To maintain the high performing and programming standards of our orchestra for the benefit our Waltham-area audiences and for the local students we serve, I am turning to you. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Any amount is appreciated, but if you can send $100, you will gain a place at the Supporter Level; this amount will help cover the stipend of one of our section leaders. A $500 donation will earn you Conductor Level status. This level of donation will help underwrite guest performers for a concert. You will earn our sincere gratitude and you will help in the mission of providing high-quality music to our community!
Best wishes for a healthy and enjoyable summer. I hope to see you at our concerts next season—we are planning performances of symphonies by Brahms and Dvorak, among others, and we will again feature some remarkable student talent on our stage.
Thank you from our Board of Directors, musicians, community volunteers, and Music Director!
David Salstein
Board President
Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra
