Virtual Artist Interview & Performance
Join us Thursday, July 23 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. at our online Zoom gathering for our next MSOL Connect!
This event will feature an interview and short performance by Michael Wu. Michael is the first prize recipient of the 2020 Bolz Young Artist Competition, and an incoming college freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began piano lessons at age five, and has studied with Bill Lutes, artist-in-residence at the UW-Madison School of Music, for the last six years. Michael received the Steenbock Youth Music Award in the 2017 Bolz Young Artist Competition and took first place in Division III of the National Steinway & Sons Piano Competition in 2018.
MSO Education and Community Engagement Director Kathryn Schwarzmann will be interviewing Michael, and the event will be hosted by Steve Kurr. Registration is free for MSOL members. Registration will close July 20 at 3 p.m.
*To become a MSOL member, or renew your membership, please do so here.
MSOL Connects You to Classical Music
MSOL Connects You to Classical MusicOur first two MSOL Connect virtual events Beethoven 250 and Humor & Classical Music went very well, and based on participants’ feedback, future MSOL Connect events are being planned. Do you have a suggestion for an upcoming speaker or musical topic for this new format? Please email Beth Rahko (bethrahko@hotmail.com).
Beethoven 250 was the inaugural event and featured Steve Kurr, a dynamic instructor, musicologist and conductor. He narrated an hour-long tour of the Life, Music and Legacy of Beethoven, with an in-depth review of the context and significance of his symphonic works. A recording of the event is available here.
Humor & Classical Music was the second event, featuring the amusing aspects of classical music and how comedy is expressed in music. Steve Kurr led an exploration of the intersection of these seemingly separate subjects. Ranging from Medieval chant to modern parodies, he presented numerous examples of humor on several levels and helpful explanations of their musical and historical context. A recording of the event is available here, and slides with links to the musical examples are here.
Seeking Sewing Enthusiasts
Seeking Sewing EnthusiastsDo you like to sew? Looking for a way to help others and the MSOL? Volunteers are needed for this simple sewing project to produce MSOL-themed face masks. The League will provide decorative material to members who wish to sew protective face masks for personal use or donate to MSOL for possible fundraising. The basic masks will need additional tightly woven material as a base; a suggested pattern and helpful hints will be provided.
If you’re interested in sewing masks please email Mark Thomas (mthomas1579@charter.net) or Leslie Overton (overtonl@uwalumni.com).
Couples Bridge Marathon Sign-Up
Couples Bridge Marathon Sign-UpThe MSOL Couples Bridge Marathon will be starting up again this fall with a Kickoff Dinner on August 27. We welcome new members to join us! If you are interested and/or would like more information please call or email Marilyn Ebben (mvebben@gmail.com) at 608-833-4683 before August 15, 2020.
MSOL Board President Message
Your MSOL is adapting to the changing world of this COVID 19 pandemic. It is somewhat like writing a score while our baton is in the air. Like many in March, we planned to move several of our social events forward to a safe time. But as time passed we decided to move all our large events like the Concert on the Green and the Symphony Gala to 2021. Please check our website to see which events are available.
The MSOL Connect and our MSOL Mask Project are new and just beginning to gain momentum. MSOL Connect is described on our website with a link to join in the fun.
When all of our MSOL Board and committee meetings successfully moved to the Zoom format, we began “thinking in the box” for other ways Zoom can be useful. We developed MSOL Connect events in June to educate and inform you on musical topics. We cannot replace live classical music but we hope to keep our MSOL members engaged and entertained while safe in the comfort of your own home. See our links above to past MSOL Connect events on Beethoven and Humor in Classical Music. Our July 23, 2020, MSOL Connect will feature our Bolz Award Winner, Michael Wu. Register by July 20th at 3 pm to learn more about Micheal Wu.
The MSOL Directory of Members will be mailed in August. We are so pleased to have you as a member and look forward to when we can gather safely again. May music live in your hearts and minds.
Stay tuned to MSOL,
Beth Rahko, President
About the MSOL
The Madison Symphony Orchestra League (MSOL) continues its tradition of volunteers in service to the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) reaching back to 1956. Over 375 members give of their time, energy and financial support to benefit MSO’s nationally-recognized Education and Community Engagement Programs. By participating in fundraising and social events, MSOL members can share their appreciation and excitement for classical music with others, contribute to the enrichment of the community and one of America’s finest regional orchestras.