Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_NOV_DEC | Page 7

UPDATE FROM STRATHMORE
AND THE AWARD
GOES TO…
Monica Jeffries Hazangeles
becomes new President
and CEO
I
n September, Monica Jeffries Hazangeles assumed
the role of President and CEO at the Music Center at
Strathmore. Succeeding Eliot Pfanstiehl, she becomes
only the second person ever to hold the position in the
organization’s 37-year history. Jeffries Hazangeles joined
Strathmore in 1994 and was named President in 2011.
“From the moment I first walked into the Mansion at Strathmore, I knew this was a special
place,” says Jeffries Hazangelels. “For the past 24 years, I have been profoundly motivated by its mis-
sion, people and community. I cannot imagine a greater honor than to serve as its next leader.”
The BSO became the first symphony orchestra in the country to perform regularly at venues
in two metropolitan areas when Strathmore opened in 2005.
“We look forward to our continued work with Monica Hazangeles as she begins her new
role,” says BSO President and CEO Peter Kjome. “As the founding partner at Strathmore, the
BSO is eager to build upon our strong relationship as we collaborate to enrich the lives of people
in Montgomery County.”
LIFELONG LEARNING
Adult players stretch their musical muscles
with BSO Academy
O
n October 20, the BSO was excited to welcome a wind
quintet composed of BSO Academy participants to perform
From left to right:
Cindy Curtis, William
at The Music Center at Strathmore. Prior to the evening’s
Jokela, Leslie Jewell,
program of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, the group, which first
Eric Abalahin, Phil
Munds and Gerri Hall
performed together during the 2018 Artscape Festival, played
Eric Ewazen’s Roaring Fork Quintet.
Every summer, the BSO Academy brings together adult instrumentalists to perform with
BSO musicians. “My amateur colleagues and I always marvel at how much we grow musically
during the Academy week,” says longtime member Gerri Hall. This quintet, coached by BSO
Principal Horn player Phil Munds, is made up of musicians who began playing their instruments
in school bands and continued throughout their lives. While horn player Cindy Curtis is the
only member to have ever played music professionally (in the Navy Band), all find time to
practice, usually 3 – 4 times a week. “I started playing regularly in 2017 after my husband lost his
battle with cancer,” shares oboist Leslie Jewel. “I experienced so much joy playing with others.”
Marin Alsop and the
BSO win Opus Klassik
for Bernstein recording
M
arin Alsop and the BSO have
been awarded the Opus
Klassik for their 2017 Naxos
release of Bernstein Symphonies Nos. 1
& 2 in the Symphonic Recording of the
Year (20 th /21 st century music) category.
Formerly known as the ECHO
Klassik, the award is Germany’s
most prestigious acknowledgment of
classical music recording.
“I’m very honored to have won this
incredible award with the wonderful
musicians of the Baltimore Symphony,”
says Alsop.  “The fact that this recording
features the music of my mentor, Leonard
Bernstein, is particularly meaningful to
me, as his works hold a special place in
my repertoire as a conductor.”
The recording has been met with
great acclaim. The disc was included
in the 2018 Naxos release of Alsop’s
complete Bernstein recordings and
was highlighted in The New York
Times’ recent article, “What Leonard
Bernstein Should You Listen To?”
Alsop and the BSO performed
Bernstein’s Symphony No. 2, “The Age
of Anxiety” with Thibaudet in August
during their debut performance at The
BBC Proms in London.
“This award is an important
achievement for the musicians of the
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and
Music Director Marin Alsop,” said
BSO President and CEO Peter Kjome.
“Producing superb recordings is one of
the many ways that our great orchestra
demonstrates its place at the forefront
of the orchestra field.”
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