The Branson Briefings – Alan Abel
Jeremy Branson, associate principal percussionist, leads a discussion on the life and impact of the revered Alan Abel, reminiscing with colleagues Chris Allen, Andrew Reamer, and John Soroka
Penny Anderson Brill – Healing Others through Musical Performance
by Karissa Shivone
Penny Brill, violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony for 40 wonderful years, is energized and ready to immerse herself into her latest musical calling as she retires next year (March 2021). She has discovered first-hand the power our music has towards healing people in the community. While she has devoted herself for the past two decades to performing for people all around Pittsburgh (and beyond) with a wide spectrum of needs, retirement will allow her time to pass on her knowledge to the next generation. Penny has a great passion to share her discoveries on repertoire, programs, educational material, and so much more.
Retirement Tribute: Scott Bell – A New Chapter in China
by Lorien Benet Hart
My first weeks with the PSO were as an extra violinist on the 2001 South American tour; I knew very few people in the orchestra and relied mostly on people adopting me into their “tour family” for any socializing. Little did I know that a hole-in-the-wall tango performance in Montevideo, Uruguay would come to define my touring for the next two decades.
Retirement Tribute: Carolyn Edwards
by Alison Fujito
Violinist Carolyn Edwards and I first met in April, 1987, when we were both called to sub with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra just before joining as full-time members.
Retirement Tribute: Randolph Kelly
By Paul Silver
Randy was born and raised in Portland, Oregon.When he was 6 years old, he began to play the violin following in the footsteps of his three older sisters. But as he jokes, “when I found out how hard it was, I really didn’t want to do it anymore!”
The Bouquet Goes to: Jodi Weisfield
After joining the Pittsburgh Symphony in the early 2000s as Manager of Corporate Support, Jodi Weisfield quickly endeared herself with musicians, staff, and donors with her approachable leadership, attention to detail, and infectious passion for the music. Her talents led to her appointment as Director of Corporate Support, to helping lead a Major Campaign, being appointed VP of Donor Relations, and most recently leading as Senior VP and Chief Development Officer.
In Every Life: 2019
By Jack Howell
The PSO’s vision statement reads: “Great Music in Every Life.” The “Great Music” part is pretty well covered. If you can get to Heinz Hall and can afford a ticket (BNY Mellon Grand Classics tickets start at $20, but some concerts are less, or even free), an embarrassment of riches awaits. In the course of a given season, there will be an orchestral program to suit almost any taste, performed at the highest level. If it seems immodest to say that ourselves, a lot of other people who ought to know said it first.
Mark Your Calendar: If Music Be The Food
By Lorien Benet Hart
Most of you know about our 3-year partnership with 412 Food Rescue. Our year-round Body & Soul runs and summer Hidden Harvest “residency” at Sheridan Orchard in East Liberty are pillars of our community involvement. This year we expanded our partnership as the Pittsburgh chapter of If Music Be The Food, a national chamber music organization with a focus on food insecurity.
The Bouquet Goes to: Everyone (you know who you are)
By Jack Howell
It seemed like a good idea: in each issue of our newsletter, to shine a spotlight on someone who contributes in some special way to keeping the Pittsburgh Symphony the Pittsburgh Symphony. We’ll call it the Bouquet! You know, like the soloist gets at the concert.
Making Time for Remembrance
By Tatjana Mead Chamis
The Clarion Quartet, consisting entirely of members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), had the honor of playing at the American Academy in Berlin on the orchestra’s recent European tour.