GREG MULLIGAN
FIRST VIOLIN
JONATHAN JENSEN
BASS
Since joining the BSO in 1983, Jonathan Jensen has been best known as a BSO bassist; however, he also plays piano for local folklore and ballroom dance groups and mandolin with the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet.
Jonathan is a songwriter and a published arranger and composer. The BSO has performed two of his orchestral arrangements on international tours, along with several of his other works on different programs.
Jonathan has also served as the unofficial musical tribute writer of the Orchestra, known for creating songs and parodies to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, retirements, and more.
Piano and bass are just two of the many instruments he’ s mastered and used to uplift audiences for decades, always combining musical brilliance with down-to-earth charm.
JONATHAN ' S FAVORITE BSO MEMORY“ After the devastating attacks of 9 / 11, orchestras had to find ways to acknowledge the tragedy in the concerts that followed. The BSO decided to play God Bless America as an encore. The available arrangements were too upbeat and pops-oriented, without the solemnity befitting the occasion. After the morning dress rehearsal for the September 13 concert, I volunteered to write an arrangement. I spent the afternoon working out a straightforward, hymn-like orchestration, after which I wrote out each part by hand and brought everything to the librarians to copy. Naturally, there was no time for a run-through. That night, after the final piece, Music Director Yuri Temirkanov returned to the stage and gave a downbeat. As the familiar strains of Irving Berlin’ s patriotic anthem filled the hall, the audience rose to its feet and began singing. I was overcome by emotion seeing my hours of stressful work come to fruition in such a moving, cathartic way. That remains one of the most memorable moments in my life.”
Greg Mulligan returned to the BSO at the beginning of the 1994 – 95 season, after serving as Concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony from 1989 through 1994. Before moving to San Antonio, Greg had been a member of the BSO’ s first violin section for nine years.
Since 2005, Greg’ s tenure included serving on various committees of the Orchestra, including the Players’ committees, the Artistic Advisory Committee, the Healthcare Committee, and the Pension Committee. He’ s also represented his colleagues on the BSO’ s Board Finance Committee meetings and served as a union steward, both in the workplace and during auditions.
Greg has been one of the strongest advocates for his fellow musicians and a valued member of the first violin section.
GREG ' S FAVORITE BSO MEMORY“ I performed many times at the Meyerhoff with my wife Jeanne Mulligan, who was a soprano in the Baltimore Symphony Chorus. My most vivid memory is performing Messiah with Jeanne for many years at the Meyerhoff. To get to play the First Violin part as Jeanne sang this masterpiece was always uplifting! For one last peak experience, my final performance with the BSO on September 10 happens to feature my son, Stephen Mulligan as the BSO’ s guest conductor!”
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