Heartfelt Tributes for Symphony Pro Musica
SPM’s playing was thrilling, because it was so accomplished, so solid and so comfortable. The orchestra clearly loves to be playing this music, and they shared their joy with all of us. What a beautiful program and what an inspiring afternoon!
SPM’s playing was thrilling, because it was so accomplished, so solid and so comfortable. The orchestra clearly loves to be playing this music, and they shared their joy with all of us. What a beautiful program and what an inspiring afternoon!
For more than four decades SPM has set the bar for non-professional ensembles...with programs that are consistently fresh and thought-provoking with performances to match. The end result is, indeed, rare, special, and worthy of celebration.
Not many community orchestras dare to program Nielsen’s Fifth Symphony. Or Shostakovich’s First. Or Mahler’s Third. Then again, most community orchestras aren’t Symphony Pro Musica. For more than four decades now, SPM has set the bar for non-professional ensembles across the country with programs that are not just consistently fresh and thought-provoking – ones, in fact, you wouldn’t mind seeing on the Boston Symphony’s season announcements – but with performances to match.
This sort of thing doesn’t happen by accident. Rather, it’s a reflection of the special relationship that’s been cultivated between the group and its conductor, Mark Churchill. A man whose formidable musical gifts, pedagogical skills, and artistic vision are belied by a calming presence and a humble disposition, Mark has crafted a truly remarkable ensemble in SPM. Whether playing music by Mozart, Brahms, William Levi Dawson, or Lili Boulanger, Mark’s performances aim for a mix of expressive clarity and revelation – sometimes of under-represented fare, always of the music at hand. Often enough, too, he involves world-class soloists in the process.
As a result, SPM’s concerts frequently call to mind Virgil Thomson’s observation of a community orchestra he heard in action in Northfield, MA back in 1941. “Rarely,” Thomson noted, “have I heard an amateur orchestral concert so glowing with musical life.” So it goes in these parts for forty years and counting: the passion, understanding, and insight that defines SPM’s playing is very much a reflection of Mark’s leadership, musicianship, and dedication to his craft and his players. That combination – not least the end result – is, indeed, rare, special, and worthy of celebration.
Symphony Pro Musica played on a level far beyond what anyone expects from a ‘community orchestra’ serving a local area...a real sense of common endeavor!
Symphony Pro Musica played on a level far beyond what anyone expects from a ‘community orchestra’ serving a local area — the solo playing was all excellent and so were the individual sections of the orchestra. A real sense of common endeavor!
With SPM, I got to learn and perform works that have become essential in my concerto repertoire, but more importantly, I realized that a truly rewarding concert experience comes from the trust, passion, and support among pure-hearted musicians.
I am privileged to have known SPM for many years. With SPM, I got to learn and perform works that have become essential in my concerto repertoire, but more importantly, I realized that a truly rewarding concert experience comes from the trust, passion, and support among pure-hearted musicians. It is this spirit of the orchestra, which is becoming more rare in our age, that I so deeply cherish.
Mr. Churchill and the orchestra were so crucial and formative in my development as a pianist and musician...it brings me great joy and warmth to see SPM in full blossom and continuing to support and help young artists and musicians around the world.
SPM and Mark Churchill will always hold a special place in my heart. Mr. Churchill and the orchestra were so crucial and formative in my development as a pianist and musician - I am forever grateful for their trust in me, allowing me to perform numerous concertos that I was learning for the first time. I learned so much from each of these unforgettable experiences, and it brings me great joy and warmth to see SPM in full blossom and continuing to support and help young artists and musicians around the world.
It has been a delight to see how Maestro Churchill brings fantastically original programming to the community while maintaining a high standard of artistic excellence and fostering great enthusiasm among the musicians.
Playing with SPM over the years has been such an important part of my musical journey and growth. I cherish the memories of playing my first performances of core repertoire works with the orchestra in the region where I grew up. It has been a delight to see how Maestro Churchill brings fantastically original programming to the community while maintaining a high standard of artistic excellence and fostering great enthusiasm among the musicians. I am very grateful for all the opportunities that SPM has given me, and I look forward performing in the future with this wonderful organization!
