New World Symphony (orchestra)

History

In 1987, Michael Tilson Thomas established the New World Symphony, with initial financial assistance from Ted Arison, the founder of Carnival Cruise Lines. Thomas and Arison had similar visions of a training orchestra for young conservatory graduates to assist them in finding employment with professional orchestras. The New World Symphony gave its first public concert on 4 February 1988 in Miami. By the time of Arison's death in 1999, he had contributed $62M USD to the organization.

The New World Symphony offers three-year fellowships, where the program offers a wide range of performance and educational opportunities in both domestic and international venues. The program offers opportunities for fellows to design and present their own concerts, which often feature seldom-heard works for unusual instrumentation. The training also includes mock auditions, financial management, donor and media relations, as well as opportunities for teaching in local schools.

The New World Symphony presents a season of concerts from September to May at the 756-seat concert hall of the New World Center. Performances include full-orchestra concerts, a chamber music series, a new music series, percussion consort series, small ensemble concerts, a family series, and special festivals and recitals.

The Orchestra's 2010 tour through Umbria was documented in the book 'Feast For The Senses', authored by Lin Arison and Diana Still, and featuring photographs by Neil Folberg.

On June 29, 2011, the New World Symphony Orchestra received the first place award for "Adventurous Programming" (group 2 orchestras) from ASCAP for its strong commitment to new American music.

In March 2022, the organization announced that Tilson Thomas is to stand down as its artistic director, effective 1 June 2022, in conjunction with Tilson Thomas' simultaneous public disclosure of his health status. In September 2022, the organization announced Stéphane Denève as its new artistic director, with immediate effect, and the transition of Tilson Thomas to the role of artistic director laureate.

References

References

1. John Rockwell. (December 17, 1989). "Reviews/Music; New World Symphony, A Youthful Conduit". The New York Times.
2. Anthony Tommasini. (January 27, 2011). "A Voyage of Discovery As a New Hall Sets Sail". The New York Times.
3. Allan Kozinn. (February 7, 1998). "Music Review: Celebration and a Sampling". The New York Times.
4. Daniel J Wakin. (February 18, 2007). "The Face-the-Music Academy". The New York Times.
5. Nicolai Ouroussoff. (January 23, 2011). "Gehry Design Plays Fanfare for the Common Man". The New York Times.
6. MacNicol, Glynnis. (December 11, 2010). "'Feast For The Senses' Book Party Also A Feast For Attendees".
7. Frank, Robert. (June 15, 2011). "What the Rich Are Reading This Summer".
8. League of American Orchestras: [https://www.ascap.com/press/2011/0609_AdventurousProgramming.aspx "ASCAP 'Adventurous Programming' Awards Presented at League of American Orchestras Conference in Minneapolis"], accessed August 16, 2011.
9. (2 March 2022). "A Letter from MTT / From the New World Symphony". New World Symphony.
10. (30 September 2022). "NWS announces new Artistic Director". New World Symphony.