The natural life span of a symphony orchestra is well over two hundred years. With this long-term perspective, our 20^th anniversary celebration declares us not older than a prodigious child. However in South Florida the statistics are somewhat different, as we happen to be one of the longest running symphony orchestras in town. This notion dictates a strong sense of responsibility towards our community as we, together, are destined to shape and define the musical future of Miami for many years to come.

 

The next two decades of The Miami Symphony will be inevitably connected to you as an audience which, beyond being our reason for being, your patronage and support will be fundamental in the realization of what this great city needs and deserves: a symphony orchestra of international stature.

As we open our 20^th Anniversary Season we share that vision. I am personally committing myself, together with all the members of the Orchestra and the Board of Directors, to meet that goal with the same conviction, as our vision fits the needs and wishes of our community.

 

Our 20^th Anniversary Season already marks a big shift in that direction. We are proud to announce our Strategic Alliances, a program of artists and organizations who will be closely involved with the MSO in establishing strong artistic relationships and institutional bonds. The synergy that will be created between these very selective groups and The Miami Symphony Orchestra is limitless.

 

Our featured soloist for October, the virtuoso violinist Alexis Cardenas, is the first of many great artists directly engaged in our rapid rate of growth and expansion. We will be consistently adding more concerts each season, expecting to double our number of programs and performances by the year 2013.

 

One of the programs that comes close to our hearts is the newly formed Allapattah Children and Youth Symphony, deservedly making a dream come true in a neighborhood that has shown a special interest and unique talent for music and the arts.

 

Clearly, our growth largely depends on financial support. For this we have created a wide range of new sponsorship programs administered by a group of most trusted members of our community, including the Manuel Ochoa Endowment Fund in memory of our founder. As he so wisely did before passing away, in 20 years time I might be ready to hand over my baton to another gifted younger conductor and, thanks to your visionary support, the children of your grand children may still be enjoying the luxury of a world-class symphony orchestra.

 

God bless you!