As we enter this new season, there is a major development to share with our MYSO family in the coming year.
It is surely bittersweet to inform you that now in her 34th season with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), Margery Deutsch has announced her plans to retire from her role as Music Director of Senior Symphony, the flagship orchestra, at the end of the 2019-20 season. In consultation with the board chair and a small advisory group of board directors, we are delighted to announce that Ms. Deutsch will transition into the first Music Director Laureate in MYSO’s history, in recognition of her long-standing commitment to musical artistry and education. Her tenure saw the expansion of MYSO’s reach internationally as she led tours throughout the world including China, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Canada, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, Argentina, Uruguay, and Ireland, as well as in the United States.
Ms. Deutsch says, “it has been my distinct honor and privilege to have worked with over 2,000 talented young musicians. During my tenure, MYSO has become one of the largest and best youth orchestras in the U.S.” She adds, “our tours evolved from outdoor venues, when I first joined, to performing in some of the finest concert halls in the world today.”
She joined MYSO mid-season in January 1987 when MYSO’s enrollment was around 350-400 musicians. Since then MYSO has more than doubled its enrollment to 1,000 musicians playing in more than 25 ensembles. “MYSO back then resembled nothing that it is today,” says Ms. Deutsch.
Reminiscing, Deutsch says “it’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been so gratifying. Our alumni are everywhere, whether as performing artists or highly functioning musical citizens.”
“This is a momentous occasion for MYSO,” says Linda Edelstein, Executive Director. “In her long tenure here, Margery has tirelessly elevated excellence and standards for Senior Symphony, and by extension, for all of MYSO. We are deeply indebted to her contributions and her genuine care for MYSO through all those years.”
On behalf of the board chair and its advisors, we are pleased to announce that MYSO’s Artistic Director, Mr. Carter Simmons, will assume the Music Director role of Senior Symphony beginning in the 2020-21 season. He will continue as Music Director of Chamber Orchestra.
Deutsch reflects, “as my legacy, I am happy to pass on a healthy, vibrant organization with high artistic standards.”
Please join us in congratulating our eminent teaching artists on their new forthcoming roles.
We invite you to join us in celebrating Margery and all her accomplishments over the years at our performances this season. Watch for more information for alumni and the annual January alumni reception and rehearsal to join in honoring Ms. Deutsch’s dedication and devotion to her musicians.
Senior Symphony performances this season will be:
- Sunday, October 20, 2019 | time TBA | Playathon | Bayshore Town Center
- November 3, 2019 | 4:00 pm | Founders Concert | Sharon Lynne Wilson Center
- Early January 2020 | time and details TBA | Annual Allegro Association Alumni reception and rehearsal with Senior Symphony | Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
- January 25, 2020 | 2:00 pm | Noble Vision | Uihlein Hall
- Sunday, April 26, 2020 | 6:00 pm | Fanfare and Finale | Uihlein Hall | Don’t miss Ms. Deutsch’s final performance!
Senior Symphony’s last concert for the season will be on Sunday, April 26, 2020. Circle that date as we will certainly be planning some special events around that time to thank Ms. Deutsch for all that she has done for us.
