Miami Symphony Orchestra - Letter from the Chairman of the Board

As we enter our new season, it is hard to believe that the orchestra will be entering its twenty-first season. I have been involved with the orchestra since 1995 having seen the orchestra face many challenges and at times serious difficulties. Nevertheless, the perseverance of the founder, Maestro Manuel Ochoa and his life companion until his death in 2006, Mrs. Sofia Ochoa, ensured the survival and development of the orchestra. Maestro Ochoa and his wife created a legacy that will be an integral part of Miami for generations. August 31^st will have been Sofia’s last day as the Executive Director of the Symphony, and all of us who have been associated with the symphony will always be extremely indebted to Sofia, for without her devotion, dedication and relentless hard work, the symphony would not have survived. Sofia: thank you very much for everything you have done; for your arduous work and selfless dedication.

The orchestra has been blessed to have Maestro Eduardo Marturet as its current Music Director and Conductor. Maestro Marturet besides bringing to the orchestra prestige and stature in his own right brings dynamism, creativity and a new vision. In the three years he has been conducting he has been able to increase the quality of the music performed significantly, something the audiences have acclaimed and the critics have confirmed. Yet Maestro Marturet is committed to achieving greater musical excellence, something I am absolutely sure he will do in the process of creating the world-class orchestra that Miami deserves.

During the last year we have been able to attract a considerable number of exceptionally qualified new directors to our board. The new directors come with tremendous enthusiasm and willingness to work, and are completely committed to ensuring that the Symphony becomes Miami’s truly own. I want to welcome our new directors and thank them for the time and support they are all devoting to The Miami Symphony Orchestra. I know that their involvement will be instrumental in achieving the ambitious goals we have set for the 2009-2010 season, which although our 21^st, in many ways we consider our first season.

Significantly, we are implementing this season a completely new image including a new logo, a new signature: MISO. The new logo symbolizes the energy, the dynamism that the orchestra now possesses like the energy emanating from the sun. It also identifies us with Miami, where we come from and what makes us proud. We have 20 years of tradition but are simultaneously innovative and forward looking. MISO is a logo but it is also a statement of the present and future of the orchestra. Just like the logo will be part of the identity of Miami, Miami will also be eventually known for The Miami Symphony Orchestra, a fact we will all be very proud of.

I am glad to inform that as of September 1^st Ms. Kathleen Murphy will join us as our new Executive Director. Ms. Murphy has an impressive professional background as well as significant experience with non-profit organizations. Also joining us effective September 1^st is Ms. Nathalie Sloane who will be the symphony’s first Director of Development. Ms. Sloane’s extensive experience in marketing, sales and development will be instrumental in the organization being able to reach the projected fund raising goals. I take this opportunity to extend my most sincere welcome to Ms. Murphy and Ms. Sloane.

The enthusiasm and the consensus that exists within the entire organization are the basis for MISO to continue to develop soundly. They will also serve as pillars of support so that Maestro Marturet can achieve his objective of creating higher levels of artistic excellence in MISO’s performances. I invite you to join us, to be part of this enthusiasm, to help us build our Miami Symphony Orchestra into a world-class symphony. To do so we need your support and your ongoing patronage. I know that I can count on you, as I know that you will thoroughly enjoy the performances of this 2009-2010 concert season.

Letter from the Chairman of the Board, Rafael Diaz-Balart
About Press Board Anna Craft Letter from the Chairman Interview with the Chairman Eduardo Marturet Our Next 20 Years Orchestra Members Administrative Staff Photos Strategic Alliances Assistant Conductor Apprentice Program Young Artists Program Anna Litvinenko Allapattah Children and Youth Symphony Recording Archives Program Archives 2008-09 Season 2007-08 Season 2006-07 Season Manuel Ochoa Book the Symphony	Dear Friends of The Miami Symphony Orchestra: As we enter our new season, it is hard to believe that the orchestra will be entering its twenty-first season. I have been involved with the orchestra since 1995 having seen the orchestra face many challenges and at times serious difficulties. Nevertheless, the perseverance of the founder, Maestro Manuel Ochoa and his life companion until his death in 2006, Mrs. Sofia Ochoa, ensured the survival and development of the orchestra. Maestro Ochoa and his wife created a legacy that will be an integral part of Miami for generations. August 31^st will have been Sofia’s last day as the Executive Director of the Symphony, and all of us who have been associated with the symphony will always be extremely indebted to Sofia, for without her devotion, dedication and relentless hard work, the symphony would not have survived. Sofia: thank you very much for everything you have done; for your arduous work and selfless dedication. The orchestra has been blessed to have Maestro Eduardo Marturet as its current Music Director and Conductor. Maestro Marturet besides bringing to the orchestra prestige and stature in his own right brings dynamism, creativity and a new vision. In the three years he has been conducting he has been able to increase the quality of the music performed significantly, something the audiences have acclaimed and the critics have confirmed. Yet Maestro Marturet is committed to achieving greater musical excellence, something I am absolutely sure he will do in the process of creating the world-class orchestra that Miami deserves. During the last year we have been able to attract a considerable number of exceptionally qualified new directors to our board. The new directors come with tremendous enthusiasm and willingness to work, and are completely committed to ensuring that the Symphony becomes Miami’s truly own. I want to welcome our new directors and thank them for the time and support they are all devoting to The Miami Symphony Orchestra. I know that their involvement will be instrumental in achieving the ambitious goals we have set for the 2009-2010 season, which although our 21^st, in many ways we consider our first season. Significantly, we are implementing this season a completely new image including a new logo, a new signature: MISO. The new logo symbolizes the energy, the dynamism that the orchestra now possesses like the energy emanating from the sun. It also identifies us with Miami, where we come from and what makes us proud. We have 20 years of tradition but are simultaneously innovative and forward looking. MISO is a logo but it is also a statement of the present and future of the orchestra. Just like the logo will be part of the identity of Miami, Miami will also be eventually known for The Miami Symphony Orchestra, a fact we will all be very proud of. I am glad to inform that as of September 1^st Ms. Kathleen Murphy will join us as our new Executive Director. Ms. Murphy has an impressive professional background as well as significant experience with non-profit organizations. Also joining us effective September 1^st is Ms. Nathalie Sloane who will be the symphony’s first Director of Development. Ms. Sloane’s extensive experience in marketing, sales and development will be instrumental in the organization being able to reach the projected fund raising goals. I take this opportunity to extend my most sincere welcome to Ms. Murphy and Ms. Sloane. The enthusiasm and the consensus that exists within the entire organization are the basis for MISO to continue to develop soundly. They will also serve as pillars of support so that Maestro Marturet can achieve his objective of creating higher levels of artistic excellence in MISO’s performances. I invite you to join us, to be part of this enthusiasm, to help us build our Miami Symphony Orchestra into a world-class symphony. To do so we need your support and your ongoing patronage. I know that I can count on you, as I know that you will thoroughly enjoy the performances of this 2009-2010 concert season. Sincerely, RDB Chairman of the Board