NewHavenBIZ

40 n e w h a v e n B I Z | M a r c h / A p r i l 2 0 1 9 n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m F E T E S > Keith Churchwell, an NHSO board member and vice president and executive director of Yale New Haven Hospital's Heart & Vascular Center/Transplantation Center, introducing one of the honorees T H E L O O P Citing the old band's 'passionate devotion to challenge and be challenged by historic, diverse, eclectic and creative music performing in harmony for 125 years,' New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp issued an official proclamation designating Jan. 25 'New Haven Symphony Orchestra Day' in the Elm City. Former Yale University Secretary Linda Lorimer and Robert Blocker, dean of the Yale School of Music. I n 1894 a group of amateur musicians persuaded Morris Steinert, a German immigrant who was a musical instrument merchant and amateur instrumentalist, to form a symphony orchestra. e newly formed ensemble debuted the following January, performing music of Beethoven, Bach, Schubert and Mendelssohn in a (now long forgotten) theater on Chapel Street under the baton of Horatio William Parker. A century and a quarter later the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is delighting audiences as never before, having relocated a few blocks north to Woolsey Hall and still performing masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire frequently in glorious partnership with world-class soloists. e NHSO celebrated its 125th birthday Jan. 25 with a black-tie gala at Anthony's Ocean View. e soirée served the dual purpose of honoring longtime Symphony supporters and partners Linda Koch Lorimer and Robert Blocker, and also as an unofficial adieu to Music Director William Boughton, who will depart New Haven in June aer 12 years at the podium. n Making beautiful music together – for 125 years Present and former members of the NHSO board of directors prepare to have their cake and eat it, too – 125th birthday cake, of course. Capping a transformative 12-year career as the NHSO's music director, Maestro William Boughton leads the North Haven Jazz Ensemble in a rousing rendition of — what else? — 'Happy Birthday To You.'

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