New Bedford Symphony Orchestra

CONTACT:

PO Box 2053
New Bedford, MA 02741
508-999-6276
www.nbsymphony.org

Lena Rouxinol, Director of Operations

DESCRIPTION:

From 1915 to 1985 the NBSO was a typical amateur orchestra: low budget, barely surviving, periodically in debt, rescued by loans from dedicated friends and board members.

But then a new Music Director, John Adams, stepped in and transformed the NBSO into an up-and-coming professional orchestra primarily by raising its artistic quality and engaging the orchestra in the life of its community. This meant quadrupling (and balancing!) its budget, multiplying and diversifying funding sources, establishing a strong schools program, and building full-capacity audiences. As a result, the NBSO is an integral partner in the economic renaissance of New Bedford that is being fueled by philanthropy — specifically, by investments in the city’s cultural institutions so that they attract national tourism and regional audiences to New Bedford and its businesses.

Today the NBSO, which celebrated its 90th anniversary season in 2004-05, includes many of the best musicians in New England — all graduates of prestigious music schools. And as befits a regional ensemble, its musicians also perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Portland Symphony, Boston Ballet, Rhode Island Philharmonic, and the Boston Pops. “Community-centered” programming requires planning and coordination — endeavors in which your philanthropic investment will go a long way.

(2000: CULTURE: Arts: Performing: Music and Dance)