The Springfield Symphony Orchestra continues to rebuild as the season begins

SPRINGFIELD — After a year of rebuilding, leaders of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra hope to keep the rhythm going with a new artistic advisor and a more diverse selection of concert themes.

The symphony orchestra begins its 81st year on Saturday and will offer nine concerts as part of its official program, one more than last year. It will continue its annual concert for about 2,000 of the city’s fourth-graders and hopes to find the financial support to offer a free concert for the third time on Juneteenth, said Paul Lambert, who took over as the symphony’s president and chief executive in January 2022 .

“This art form is changing and we live in a difficult economic era,” Lambert said.

That means the symphony orchestra must be flexible, changeable and creative in order to survive, especially after struggling through COVID-19 shutdowns that left musicians unable to perform and then a protracted labor dispute with the union that owns the represents around 70 musicians who make up the orchestra.

The contract dispute was so bitter that the musicians filed an unfair labor practice claim and formed an independent orchestra. The two-year contract was completed in July 2023; Formal negotiations for the next step have not yet begun, he said.

Union representatives did not respond to a request for comment, but Lambert said musicians and executives are working together to ensure the symphony is a success.

“It’s far too fragile. We all have to work together,” he said.

Guest conductors

The work pact called for at least eight concerts last year, but organizers found financial support to hold three additional events. This year there are nine on the regular schedule, but they again hope to offer at least 11 if sponsors are found, he said.

Ticket sales alone do not keep the symphony orchestra afloat. The organization relies on both sponsors and individual donations.

The symphony began using guest conductors after the board did not renew Kevin Rhodes’ contract in 2021, ousting him after ten years in the position. It is assumed that this will remain the case this season, he said.

It is not certain whether this will be a permanent solution. Lambert said the board will continue to evaluate the plan, but said it has been well received so far.

“Putting together a season of guest conductors brought different faces to the podium and was well received,” Lambert said. “I can’t tell you how many people said, ‘I’ve never seen a female conductor or a conductor who looks like me.'”

Part of the pact with the musicians was the agreement to hire a musical director. In March, the organization brought Mei-Ann Chen on board to fill the position of artistic advisor.

Chen, who holds five positions worldwide including music director of the Chicago Sinfonietta and principal conductor of the Austrian Recreation Orchestra Graz at Styriarte, will conduct two of the nine regular concerts on the program.

She described the job as comparable to a chef finding all the ingredients and mixing them together for a concert. This means developing a theme, finding guest performers and selecting different pieces.

Among other things, the symphony seeks to develop themes and perform music that reflects the interests and backgrounds of the diverse community in western Massachusetts.

“We want to celebrate all the cultural heritages that call Springfield home,” she said.

Last year, for example, a performance focusing on Latin American compositions was a success, attracting many first-time visitors to the symphony. The orchestra will try that again with its “Echoes of the Americas” concert on November 16, which will feature Guillermo Figueroa as conductor and Miguel del Aguila on piano.

One of Chen’s ideas was a “Harmony of Love” concert on Feb. 15 to mark the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by several Asian cultures, including Chinese and Vietnamese who have settled in Springfield. The second half of the concert focuses on romantic pieces for Valentine’s Day.

“Lunar New Year is about loved ones, and that also means Valentine’s Day,” she said. “It’s a very universal theme.”

It’s not just about building a new fan base, but also about maintaining the existing one by offering concerts at different times.

Lambert recognized that matinee performances were needed to meet different needs. The holiday concert will be held on December 14th at 4 p.m. because it attracts families and the usual 7:30 p.m. start is too late for children. There are also older ticket holders who would rather attend a matinee because they don’t like driving at night.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he was excited to see the reconstruction of the symphony house. It is the second largest in the state and he did not want it to die, as was the case with some symphonies in cities like San Antonio, Texas.

During the coronavirus crisis, the mayor gave the organization about $200,000 in federal pandemic relief funding to keep it running. This money is actually intended to be used to support the musicians’ annual concert for fourth graders and other educational programs.

“People ask, ‘What’s special about the symphony?’ It’s part of the fabric of the city,” he said.

The symphony also serves as an economic engine to bring people downtown. On concert nights, many restaurants report an increase in customers wanting to go out for dinner before or after the event, he said.

It also serves as a valuable source of information for youth.

In addition to the annual concert for children, the symphony orchestra also offers the “Beethoven’s Friends” program, where businesses and residents can donate to a fund that provides tickets to students and youth organizations.