WELCOME,
LINHAN CUI
The 2019-20 BSO-Peabody
Conducting Fellow
ARE YOU A SUPERCONDUCTOR?
Marin Alsop on Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!
M
usic Director Marin Alsop
recently appeared on NPR’s
Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me!,
the weekly hour-long quiz show that
tests your knowledge on news and
entertainment. Tasked with figuring
out what’s real news and what’s made
up by the hilarious hosts Peter Sagal
and Bill Kurtis, Alsop participated in
the Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! game
“Not My Job” where Sagal and Kurtis
“ask pioneers to go discover something
completely uninteresting.”
In front of a sold-out audience in
Chicago’s Chase Auditorium, Marin
Alsop was asked questions about
a different kind of conducting—
conducting electricity.
“Here we go, maestra,” said Sagal.
“Lightning rods were all the rage after
they were invented in the late 18 th
century—so much so that they turned
up where?”
After Sagal listed numerous absurd
answers, Alsop pointed out that the last
option, “on top of ladies’ hats,” could
be rather dangerous. She turned to the
audience for advice on selecting this
option and received a unified “yeah!”
Surprisingly, the answer was correct!
“It’s amazing how you got [the
audience] to work together like that!”
said Sagal, hinting at Alsop’s profession.
The show aired on NPR stations
around the country on July 27.
To hear the full segment, visit NPR.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me.
THE PAUL AND AMY SPONSELLER CHAIR
T
his fall, the BSO announced a major gift from Paul and
Amy Sponseller to endow a First Violin Section position.
The Paul and Amy Sponseller Chair will be held by
First Violinist Holly Jenkins and represents the Orchestra’s first
endowed section chair.
“We decided to support Holly Jenkins’ position because,
in addition to her musical talents, we were struck by her
interest in engaging with the community,” says Paul
First Violinist Holly Jenkins
Sponseller. “She has a very bright future ahead of her and
a long time to contribute to the BSO. We look forward to seeing all that she will
accomplish.”
Jenkins, who has been with the BSO since 2016, is passionate about promoting
peace and cross-cultural awareness through music. One of Jenkins’ projects included a
trip to Pakistan with Cultures in Harmony to perform and conduct music workshops,
promoting international and cultural understanding through music.
“We are so fortunate to have BSO musicians who are active participants in their
communities and the broader world,” says Music Director Marin Alsop. “Holly is the
epitome of professionalism and humanitarianism. Beyond the many talents she brings
onstage, her tireless commitment offstage exemplifies the best of this profession. I
cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”
This generous commitment celebrates the Orchestra’s rich tradition of artistic
excellence and provides support for future generations of violinists.
To learn more about Paul and Amy, visit page 30.
T
he BSO and Music Director Marin
Alsop recently selected the 2019–20
BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellow,
Linhan Cui. Cui will have the opportunity
to further her professional career through
a season-long apprenticeship with Alsop.
She will cover and assist Alsop in up to
four classical concerts while Alsop provides
guidance in musical interpretation, baton
technique, career development, artistic
planning and programming.
“This is an extremely important
fellowship for the BSO and Peabody,”
says Alsop. “Having the opportunity to
work with top musicians in the industry;
interface with the leading soloists of our
time; and get hands-on experience as an
assistant conductor with a major U.S.
orchestra are priceless experiences that
move our fellows far ahead in the field
and in their careers.”
Born in Shenyang, China, Cui began
conducting in 2012 at the Guangzhou
Xinghai Conservatory. Upon graduating,
she was then the youngest conductor to
work at the conservatory and founded
a music school in Zhongshan City.
Currently, Cui is pursuing her master’s
degree in orchestral conducting at the
Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins
University as part of Marin Alsop’s studio.
Former BSO-Peabody Fellows continue
to have distinguished careers, including
Joseph Young, who is Artistic Director
for the Peabody Institute and begins his
tenure as Music Director of the Berkeley
Symphony this season.
BSO-Peabody
Fellow Linhan Cui
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