LENOX â The Boston Symphony Orchestra anticipates potentially performing before a live audience this summer for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic silenced it 13 months ago except for a robust schedule of online concerts.
The plan is subject to approval by the BSOâs board of trustees at a meeting this month. The decision also is contingent on capacity and approval issues in connection with official recommendations from Gov. Charlie Bakerâs office.
If the plan moves forward, the launch at Tanglewood would be in early to mid-July, BSO President and CEO Mark Volpe told The Eagle by phone from his office at Symphony Hall.
$1 Million Gift to BUTI Launches the Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Fund
Chester and Joy Douglass’ pledge, the largest in the program’s 54-year history, strengthens bond with BSO to train young musicians
March 1, 2021 Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), a program of Boston University College of Fine Arts, announces that longtime supporter and current Chair of the BUTI Advisory Council, Chester “Chet” W. Douglass and his wife, Joy, have pledged $1,000,000 to launch the Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Fund.
“Dr. Douglass has been an invaluable leader for BUTI for the past six years,” says Hilary Respass, Executive Director of Boston University Tanglewood Institute. “With his generous consultation and support we have built the program and its community of supporters, celebrating a 50
When Gail Samuel, the newly appointed Boston Symphony Orchestra president and CEO, first visited Tanglewood in 1986 as a teenager, she happened to attend a historic concert â one that attracted widespread front-page news coverage.
Leonard Bernstein was on the podium, and 14-year violin sensation Midori was performing his Serenade, when her E-string broke. Without missing a note and totally poised, she played on after being handed a replacement fiddle, but its E-string promptly snapped. The second substitute instrument was the charm, and the performance continued successfully.
For Samuel, a native Angeleno and a budding violinist, it was a life-changing experience. She fell in love with Tanglewood, enrolled in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, then worked on staff there for several summers.
February 18, 2021
Gail Samuel made history Wednesday as the first woman named as president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the organization’s 140-year existence.
As the Julian and Eunice Cohen President and CEO of the BSO, Samuel will lead the Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and Tanglewood, according to a press release.
Samuel, who will begin her new role on June 21, currently serves as the chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and president of the Hollywood Bowl. She has three decades of experience in orchestra management.
During her tenure, Samuel transformed and expanded the reach of the Hollywood Bowl, making it a popular destination for southern Californians to experience the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the summer, according to the release. Samuel also partnered with the County of Los Angeles to make the “LA Phil” the steward of historic outdoor amphitheater The Ford, and continued to develop new strategic programming and initiati