Today we noticed that the Boston Symphony Orchestra (the largest orchestral organization in the world) is celebrating their 125th anniversary. Congratulations to the BSO!

Boston is particularly well-suited to host visiting orchestras on performance tours as the city is rich with orchestral heritage. In addition to the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston hosts the Handel and Haydn Society and the Boston Ballet. All three organizations not only are available to view at their performances but offer workshops and lectures that are available to visiting orchestras. For example, the Boston Ballet Music Director and Principal Conductor Jonathan McPhee hosts a discussion with performers from The Taming of the Shrew in October.

Recently the Marcos de Niza High School Orchestra (under the direction of Ellen Palmer) from Tempe, AZ (our hometown!) traveled with MCI to Boston. While there they did a workshop, attended a pre-concert lecture and viewed a performance of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. They also were able to perform in historic Faneuil Hall (pictured above) and perform at a well-attended exchange concert with an outstanding local youth orchestra.