The new season of luncheons is entitled "The Art of..."
and we have an incredible lineup of artists for you. A long-standing MSO tradition, the Magic of Music Luncheons make the music come alive with artists who are at the top of their leagues. Our speakers this season share some amazing accolades: among them, a Grammy, a Tony, a MacArthur Foundation genius grant, an Avery Fisher career grant and a Pulitzer Prize. Don't miss this opportunity to share the joy of the musical arts.

Step into the world of the MSO's internationally acclaimed HeartStrings Community Engagement Program. With recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts, the international Society for the Arts in Healthcare and the League of American Orchestras, HeartStrings is lauded for innovation and excellence.

Work is under way at the international level to duplicate this program for other communities, along with programs by some of America's most prominent arts organizations, including the Iowa Writer's Workshop and the Mark Morris Dance Company. Join MSO co-concertmaster Suzanne Beia, principal viola Christopher Dozoryst, principal cello Karl Lavine and violinist Laura Burns along with music therapist Laurie Farnan and MSO Director of Education and Community Engagement Michelle Kaebisch for a glimpse into the art of healing with music!

Pulitzer Prize and MacArthur Foundation genius grant recipient John Harbison will offer insights into the art of composition. If he sounds familiar it may be because his work The Great Gatsby Suite will be featured at our October concerts.

Among America's most distinguished artistic figures, Harbison has composed music for most of America's premiere musical institutions, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. For more than 30 years he has been a member of the faculty of MIT, where he is an Institute Professor: the highest distinction accorded to resident faculty. Don't miss this opportunity!

Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient Christopher Taylor will share his insights on being a performer. A recent New York Times feature article said, "Those who know the pianist Christopher Taylor tend to speak of him in the hushed, reverent tones typically reserved for natural wonders if not the otherworldly. Colleagues trip over words like 'innocence,' 'fervor,' 'beauty' and 'vision' in an attempt to capture his elusive personality. Critics praise his "virtuosity...tempered by an aching tenderness..."

The Los Angeles Times follows, "…after two hours at the keyboard, Taylor had become a wild man in the thrall of a great vision, seemingly possessed of superhuman powers. Clearly forces beyond the normal were at play." Taylor will perform Schumann'sPiano Concerto in A minor for our April concerts.

Does John DeMain really need an introduction? The Grammy and Tony Award winning music director of the MSO first took the world by storm with his history-making production of Porgy and Bess, which was televised on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center along with many of his other productions. In a world where many start in a blaze of glory and then fade, DeMain's star continues to rise. He recently made his critically acclaimed debuts at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Vancouver Opera, where his Canadian premiere of John Adams' Nixon in China, featured as part of the 2010 Olympic Games, was a huge success.

He has been praised as "a gifted orchestra builder" by The New York Times, and, indeed, DeMain has built the MSO into one of America’s leading regional orchestras. “It was tempting,” said The New York Times, “to compare this regional orchestra even with a major international ensemble...the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.” Or maybe you already knew that? Don't miss this lively conversation with the maestro.

Order all four luncheons before Oct 7 for just $90. Individual luncheons are $25 each. Reserve your place today! Call 257.3734 to charge by phone or complete our simple Reservation Form. Reservations and payment must be made by the Thursday before each luncheon. All luncheons take place on Thursdays at 11:45 AM. The October Luncheon is at Maple Bluff Country Club at 500 Kensington Drive in the Village of Maple Bluff (map). All others will be at the Nakoma Golf Club at 4145 Country Club Road in Madison (map). Prices include entree, rolls, salad or dessert, a non-alcoholic drink and the tip. A cash bar is also available. Schedules and speakers are subject to change.