MIAMI VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

"To promote musical activities and programs for the cultural and educational benefit of the public."

Contact Information:

Phone: 937.602-4950; E-mail: BoardofDirectors@mvso.org;
P.O. Box 164 Dayton Ohio 45409

The Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra (MVSO) was founded in the summer of 1989 by Pat Carson and the late Keith Prentice, co-founders of Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS). They hoped to create an organization where accomplished musicians, including many already involved with TUTS productions, could showcase their talents. Keith and Pat founded the MVSO with the goal of bringing high quality symphony orchestra performances to the community at affordable prices.

Auditions were held in September and October of 1989. A mixture of professional, semi-professional, and non-professional musicians from the community were selected, and rehearsals began in October. The orchestra’s debut performance took place on December 9, 1989, at the Clark Haines Theatre in Kettering with the MVSO’s first conductor, Ron Kindel, on the podium. The orchestra’s final performance of its premiere season was led by guest conductor and local music legend, Clark Haines, in whose memory the MVSO holds an annual concerto competition.

From 1990 to 1999, the orchestra was under the highly qualified and talented artistic direction of Charles Wendelken-Wilson, former conductor at New York City Opera, assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony under the legendary Erich Leinsdorf, and Music Director and Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr. Wendelken-Wilson’s ten year tenure as conductor and artistic director of the MVSO greatly enhanced the orchestra’s performance level, expanded its repertoire, and established the MVSO as one the Miami Valley’s artistic and musical assets. During Mr. Wendelken-Wilson’s years with the MVSO, the orchestra performed standard works from the symphonic repertoire, full-length operas, summer musicals, and chamber works.

In 1999 the baton was passed to Dr. Thomas Kennedy, Jr., Associate Professor of Music at Wittenberg University. Dr. Kennedy had been associated with the MVSO since 1996 as conductor and performer. In January of 2005, Dr. Kennedy was unable to continue his duties with the MVSO due to ill health, and the Board of Trustees began a search for a new conductor. James Johnston, Assistant Professor of Music at Antioch University, served as interim conductor for the remainder of the 2004-2005 season.

In the Spring of 2005, the Board initiated a year-long project to find a new conductor. Qualified candidates from in and around the Miami Valley were contacted and Karen Gorden, Randall Paul, and Alejandro Rivas served as guest conductors for the following season. Later that year the MVSO was engaged to provide the music for the Ohio Performing Arts Council’s December production of Tchaikovsky’s "Nutcracker" ballet. Ian Polster conducted the performances in Springfield’s Kuss Auditorium.

In June 2006, Randall S. Paul was appointed conductor of the MVSO for the 2006-2007 season. The 2007-2008 season again welcomed three guest conductors, James Johnston in a return to the MVSO podium, and Dr. Kenneth Kohlenberg and Dr. Jiang Liu making their debut performances. Dr. Kenneth Kohlenberg became the MVSO’s full time conductor in the Fall of 2008.

In the past two decades, in addition to its standard subscription series concerts, the MVSO has provided a wide range of musical entertainment at venues throughout the Miami Valley including standard symphonic music, full operas, ballets, silent film scores and musical theater.

For its 20th Anniversary Celebration, the MVSO featured a commissioned octet revision of Moira Levant's "Bessie" in a chamber music concert at the Dayton Art Institute. Moira had been a member of MVSO for several years. To culminate the 20th season, the MVSO presented a free Concert on Sunday, May 16, 2010, at 2:00 PM in the Dayton Masonic Center. The concert debuted John Parcell's commissioned symphonic poem, "Songs of the Valley." and featured the virtuoso trumpet duet of Ashley Hall and Nathan Tigue performing Vivaldi's Concerto for Two Trumpets in C.

Now in its 21st Season, the orchestra continues its tradition of bringing high quality symphonic music and entertainment to the Miami Valley at community prices. For information on concert dates, season ticket sales, visit the appropriate pages of this web site. For information on becoming a member of the orchestra or orchestra sponsorships.

PREMIERE PERFORMANCE — December 9, 1989 in the Clark Haines Theater

There were 55 players in the orchestra: 17 violins, 4 violas, 6 cellos, 2 basses, 2 harps, 3 flutes/piccolo, 3 oboe/English horn, 3 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 1 alto saxophone, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, and 2 percussion/timpani.

Of the original performers, 10 are still active (Sept. 2009)

Current Member	1989 Performance Instrument
Barbara Van Doren	Violin
Polly Humphreys	Chorale (currently Violin)
Ruth Bowsher	Viola
Carolyn Wimberly	Cello
John O'Malley	Oboe
Frank Lowe	Oboe/English horn
Judy Varner	Flute/Piccolo
Mariann Hunt	Clarinet
Gordon Little	Horn
Tom Jacobs	Trumpet

If you are interested in viewing the MVSO music repertoire, click here:
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MIAMI VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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