Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is
an American orchestra
based in Blue Ash, Ohio
, a northeastern suburb of Cincinnati. It was founded in 1987 as the Blue Ash Symphony Orchestra by Paul Stanbery, who was also its first conductor
. The first concert took place on July 5, 1987.
In 2002, the orchestra became the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. Blue Ash and Montgomery
, a neighboring suburb of Cincinnati, provide operating support in equal amounts. Additional funding comes from Arts Wave of Greater Cincinnati, from various charitable foundations in the region, corporate and patron sponsorships and program advertising
.
The orchestra comprises 40-50 professional musicians, all members of the American Federation of Musicians
, hired on a free lance basis. Concerts are presented free of charge. There are four to five concerts annually, including outdoor concerts on Labor Day
, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The Kindel Memorial Holiday Concert is performed in December and a Valentine's Day
concert in February. Concerts take place in Blue Ash Towne Center, Montgomery Park and area churches and schools. The orchestra also performs concerts outside their normal season, e.g. to celebrate the dedication of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
in Cincinnati in 2004 and at outreach concerts on the grounds of the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Stanbery was succeeded as conductor in 2002 by Michael Chertock, principal keyboardist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
and assistant professor of piano at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
. Chertock is also organist at St. Barnabas Church in Montgomery, artistic director of the Linton Chamber Music Series
’ Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions for children and a composer.
BAMSO sponsors an annual concerto
competition for local student musicians. Students compete in four categories: strings, keyboard, other acoustic
instruments and musicians 13 and under. Winners receive cash awards and performance opportunities with the orchestra.
The orchestra is governed by a 12-member board. Business manager is L. Susan Pace. Orchestra activities are supported by a volunteer guild of interested citizens. There is also an advisory board and an honorary board comprising supporters of the organization.
BAMSO performance repertoire is wide-ranging, from seasonal and patriotic favorites, to classical and popular music. The orchestra has premiered numerous works, including Chertock’s “Freedom’s Torch” for baritone
and string orchestra
on a modern text from the Hannukah liturgy in December, 2002 and arias from Evan Mack’s opera “Angel of the Amazon” in September, 2010. Soloists come from inside and outside the community and have included Bernadette Peters
, Peter Cetera
, flutist Randolph Bowman, soprano Kara Shay Thompson, mezzo-soprano Catherine Fishlock, baritone William Henry Caldwell, the Cincinnati Boychoir and violinist Timothy Schwarz.
The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is a charter member of the Chamber Music Network of Greater Cincinnati.
The Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1991 by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra violinist James Braid, is an autonomous organization comprising area young people in grades 7 through 12. Current conductor is Dale Swisher. The BAYSO performs with BAMSO on its annual Memorial Day Concert.
The mission of the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is “to provide the citizens of Blue Ash, Montgomery and surrounding areas with an enjoyable, affordable, quality music experience for audiences of all ages.”
an American orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Blue Ash, Ohio
Blue Ash, Ohio
Blue Ash is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and an inner suburb of Cincinnati, which is located just to the south. The population was 12,513 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blue Ash is located at ....
, a northeastern suburb of Cincinnati. It was founded in 1987 as the Blue Ash Symphony Orchestra by Paul Stanbery, who was also its first conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
. The first concert took place on July 5, 1987.
In 2002, the orchestra became the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra. Blue Ash and Montgomery
Montgomery, Ohio
Montgomery is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States settled in 1796. The town was a coach stop on the Cincinnati-Zanesville Road, later known as the Montgomery Pike with an Inn, two taverns, a grist mill and a carding mill to process its agricultural products...
, a neighboring suburb of Cincinnati, provide operating support in equal amounts. Additional funding comes from Arts Wave of Greater Cincinnati, from various charitable foundations in the region, corporate and patron sponsorships and program advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
.
The orchestra comprises 40-50 professional musicians, all members of the American Federation of Musicians
American Federation of Musicians
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is a labor union of professional musicians in the United States and Canada...
, hired on a free lance basis. Concerts are presented free of charge. There are four to five concerts annually, including outdoor concerts on Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. The Kindel Memorial Holiday Concert is performed in December and a Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
concert in February. Concerts take place in Blue Ash Towne Center, Montgomery Park and area churches and schools. The orchestra also performs concerts outside their normal season, e.g. to celebrate the dedication of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a museum in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio based on the history of the Underground Railroad. The Center also pays tribute to all efforts to "abolish human enslavement and secure freedom for all people." Billed as part of a new group of "museums of...
in Cincinnati in 2004 and at outreach concerts on the grounds of the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Stanbery was succeeded as conductor in 2002 by Michael Chertock, principal keyboardist of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
As the fifth oldest orchestra in the United States, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has a legacy of fine music making as reflected in its performances in historic Music Hall, recordings, and international tours...
and assistant professor of piano at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
The University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music is the performing arts college of the University of Cincinnati and is one of the nation's leading music conservatories. In its most recent rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Cincinnati sixth nationally among university programs...
. Chertock is also organist at St. Barnabas Church in Montgomery, artistic director of the Linton Chamber Music Series
Linton Chamber Music Series
Linton Chamber Music Series is a presenter of chamber music and educational concerts based in Cincinnati, Ohio.-Founding and History:The Linton Series grew out of a special concert in March, 1977 to reward members of Cincinnati's historic First Unitarian Church for a successful fund-raising canvass...
’ Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions for children and a composer.
BAMSO sponsors an annual concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
competition for local student musicians. Students compete in four categories: strings, keyboard, other acoustic
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
instruments and musicians 13 and under. Winners receive cash awards and performance opportunities with the orchestra.
The orchestra is governed by a 12-member board. Business manager is L. Susan Pace. Orchestra activities are supported by a volunteer guild of interested citizens. There is also an advisory board and an honorary board comprising supporters of the organization.
BAMSO performance repertoire is wide-ranging, from seasonal and patriotic favorites, to classical and popular music. The orchestra has premiered numerous works, including Chertock’s “Freedom’s Torch” for baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
and string orchestra
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
on a modern text from the Hannukah liturgy in December, 2002 and arias from Evan Mack’s opera “Angel of the Amazon” in September, 2010. Soloists come from inside and outside the community and have included Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters
Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer and children's book author from Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Over the course of a career that has spanned five decades, she has starred in musical theatre, films and television, as well as performing in solo concerts and recordings...
, Peter Cetera
Peter Cetera
Peter Paul Cetera is an American singer, songwriter, bassist and producer best known for being an original member of the rock band Chicago, before launching a successful solo career...
, flutist Randolph Bowman, soprano Kara Shay Thompson, mezzo-soprano Catherine Fishlock, baritone William Henry Caldwell, the Cincinnati Boychoir and violinist Timothy Schwarz.
The Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is a charter member of the Chamber Music Network of Greater Cincinnati.
The Blue Ash Youth Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1991 by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra violinist James Braid, is an autonomous organization comprising area young people in grades 7 through 12. Current conductor is Dale Swisher. The BAYSO performs with BAMSO on its annual Memorial Day Concert.
The mission of the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra is “to provide the citizens of Blue Ash, Montgomery and surrounding areas with an enjoyable, affordable, quality music experience for audiences of all ages.”