It turns out, perhaps to no surprise for some, that the most challenging program for an orchestra director to plan every year is the seasonal concert in December. It seems that with this particular event, there is a very clear expectation on the part of the audience to be both connected spiritually to what is played as well as “feel” the magic that only the holiday season brings.
This has been the dilemma for the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra’s director Julien Benichou every year. And, adding to the complexity of these decisions is the need to balance the holiday concert with another MSO performance set for New Year’s Eve.
The Spy was interested in this conundrum and asked if the maestro would sit down with us to share his process of selection and personal aspirations for these two special moments of music. He generously agreed, and we met at Bullitt House in Easton last Saturday for a short chat about all of this.
This video is approximately two minutes in length. For more information about the The Mid-Atlantic Symphony’s offerings, please go here.
Performances of “Holiday Joy” by the MSO will be held on these dates:
– December 8 at the Avalon Theater in Easton, MD (7:00 pm)
– December 9 at Mariner’s Bethel Church in Ocean View, DE (7:00 pm)
– December 10 at Community Church in Ocean Pines, MD (3:00 pm)
The MSO New Year’s Eve performance of “A New Year from the Old World!” will be held at Christ Church in Easton, MD at 7:00pm.
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