PHOTO courtesy of Portland Symphony Orchestra
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August 25, 2024
2024 Fact Book: Doing Business in Maine
Portland Symphony Orchestra: One hundred years of enriching lives through music
PHOTO courtesy of Portland Symphony Orchestra
What does it mean to reach 100 years? For the Portland Symphony Orchestra, it’s an opportunity to continue to foster growth, expand its reach and deeply engage with Mainers across the state.
“When I think about what 100 years of music means, it’s incredibly powerful,” reflects Executive Director Carolyn Nishon. “I imagine the thousands of people working together and musicians moving, breathing and playing together across the years. It takes so many individuals to create something beautiful that has affected generations of Mainers.”
Community Impact
Throughout its history, the PSO has been committed to education and outreach, including its most innovative initiative which just turned 10 years young. Established in 2014, the PSO Explorers program was designed to integrate classical music directly into the Portland Public Schools system.
The PSO Explorers program is one-of-a-kind, not only for the state of Maine, but on a national level as well. What makes it unique is the way it uses music to enhance and expand upon existing literacy and social emotional curriculum, allowing students to form valuable, interdisciplinary connections while interacting and learning with PSO musicians. Classroom teachers, PSO musicians and PSO staff collaborate year-round to create lessons that seamlessly incorporate music in support of overall learning goals in the classroom.
Reflecting on the past 10 years, one classroom teacher recently shared that every time a PSO musician visits their school, she looks forward to “watching the expressions of excitement and joy on student faces during the lessons—totally engaged and enthralled.”
Having begun with the kindergarteners at Reiche Elementary School, PSO Explorers has now expanded to bring musicians into Grades K-3 at both Reiche and Longfellow Elementary School. Over the past 10 years, it has had an impact on thousands of students.
Beyond the Explorers program, the PSO fosters a love for music in future generations by providing opportunities for students in Maine and beyond to experience live orchestral music. KinderKonzerts, small musician-led performances based in storytelling, bring orchestral music directly into schools, camps and community centers, while Youth Concerts give students the opportunity to attend a performance at Merrill Auditorium as a school field trip. In the 2023-24 school year, the PSO reached 24,000 students and educators throughout 400-plus educational events.
For its upcoming 100th season, the PSO is excited for its newest endeavor — a partnership with Carnegie Hall to be the first orchestra in Maine to offer the Link Up program.
“Link Up takes the PSO Youth Concert a step further, creating a fully interactive and immersive experience” says McKenzie Blanchard, PSO director of learning and community impact. “Throughout the school year, students will learn pieces of music to sing, dance, listen to or play on the recorder, utilizing curriculum materials provided to schools at no cost. When the students arrive at the Youth Concert in May, they will be able to participate in the concert, creating a collaborative musical experience with the PSO musicians on the stage.”
History of the PSO
The roots of the Symphony can be traced back to the early 1920s when a group of local musicians recognized the need for an orchestra in Portland. In 1924, the PSO officially came into being (then known as the Amateur Strand Symphony Orchestra), marking the beginning of a journey that would see the orchestra grow in size, scope and reputation.
Over the decades, the transformation of the PSO has been led by a dozen conductors and music directors, each bringing their unique artistic vision and expertise to the orchestra. Under their guidance, the Symphony expanded its repertoire, embraced new works and deepened its engagement with the community.
Led today by Executive Director Carolyn Nishon and Music Director Eckart Preu, the Portland Symphony Orchestra continues its evolution to now be regarded as one of the finest orchestras of its size in the country, comprising 82 professional musicians.
Preu began his tenure as music director in the Fall of 2019. Only months later, the Portland Symphony Orchestra found itself rapidly adapting to a changing landscape of the performing arts. While the impacts of pandemic still resonate across the industry, the PSO found its footing early on by producing virtual performances to maintain its connection with audiences. Through this adaptability, the Symphony developed a close relationship with internationally recognized recording company, PARMA, to produce its digital content, leading it to another milestone.
In 2023, with the help of PARMA, the Portland Symphony Orchestra recorded its first commercial CD, Máscaras: Music from Mexico. Focusing on music by three living Mexican composers, the recording upholds the PSO’s commitment to diversify its repertoire and help enrich the musical landscape for American orchestras. This commitment continues into the Symphony’s 100th season, where it seeks to both honor the music of the past and look towards the future.
PHOTO courtesy of Portland Symphony Orchestra
Commitment to Artistic Excellence and Inclusion
If the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Portland Symphony Orchestra is “Magic of Christmas,” you’re not alone. The PSO’s holiday concert has become an annual tradition for Mainers of all ages, drawing audiences from across the region since it first began 45 years ago.
But the PSO’s role in the cultural life of Portland extends far beyond the holiday season. Performances span from September until June and feature a diverse array of classical and contemporary works that demonstrate the orchestra’s commitment to innovation. Concerts range from the Classical series, which celebrates the full scope of classical music from Beethoven’s 9th to new compositions from living composers, to POPS!, highlighting popular music such as the Beatles, Disney songs and film scores. In addition to its mainstage programs, Discovery concerts for families give fun introductions to classical music, including preconcert activities where kids learn about instruments and conducting before the performance.
The PSO’s inventive approach to programming reflects its commitment to excellence. Throughout each season, PSO concerts offer a broad and diverse range of musical works with special focus being given to underrepresented works and composers as part of the organization’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Meaningful collaborations with renowned guest artists — most notably an upcoming, sold out performance with Yo-Yo Ma — and partnerships with local arts organizations are also prevalent in the PSO’s 100th season, including a first-time collaboration with Opera Maine to present a staged opera concert of La Bohème, and appearances from Portland Stage, Portland Ballet, ChoralArt Masterworks and the PSO Children’s Chorus.
“With these diverse, entertaining and evocative programs and partnerships we aim to share this joyful celebration with our local artistic community and all music lovers,” says Preu. “We are thrilled to showcase the artistry of the PSO musicians and celebrate the vibrant landscape of orchestral music, both past and present.”
As part of this goal, the Portland Symphony Orchestra is piloting a chamber music series in its 100th season, where small, musician-led ensembles will perform in venues across southern and central Maine, including the Olin Center in Lewiston, Meetinghouse Arts in Freeport and Maine Jewish Museum in Portland. All the chamber performances will have a “pay what you can” ticket option as part of the PSO’s commitment towards accessibility.
“We believe that the experience of seeing the symphony is something that everyone can enjoy but know there are many barriers that prevent individuals from attending. One of the ways that we can help is through keeping ticket prices affordable,” says Nishon. “The ‘pay what you can’ model for the Chamber series is one way. Another is our College Card program, where students pay $30 for the season to attend as many concerts as they want. We’re also committed to keeping our Discovery concerts affordable with $10 general admission tickets.”
Acknowledging the actualities of running a nonprofit business, Nishon says, “Of course, the reality of this is that the PSO wouldn’t be able to offer these programs and maintain accessibility without the support of our individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors. None of what we’ve done over the past 100 years would be possible without our community behind and alongside us and for that we are grateful.”
The Portland Symphony Orchestra knows this involvement and support will be just as integral as it sets its sights on the next century.
“Our 100th season is not just a reflection of our history,” says Nishon. “It’s also about shaping the future that we envision for the PSO — one that embraces a sense of community in the broadest and most inclusive way. Success in the next 100 years depends on the Symphony’s ability to evolve further, so we can continue to serve our city and state by doing what we do best — enriching lives through music.”
PHOTO courtesy of Portland Symphony Orchestra
Portland Symphony Orchestra
85 Exchange Street, 4th Floor, Portland, Maine 04101
Sector: Performing Arts, Nonprofit
Carolyn Nishon, Executive Director
Founded: 1924
Maine employees: 17
