This season is dedicated to Maestro George Monseur
Full of animation and passion, George Monseur has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra for the past 35 years! In the 1970's Mr. Monseur had been a guest conductor; his official tenure began in 1983. His background was impressive having attended Arizona State University, Boston Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory where he received a Master of Music degree. He received a full fellowship in Orchestral Conducting at the Tanglewood Music Festival and at Carnegie Hall he made his New York debut conducting "La Boheme." George is a Professor of Conducting Studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Taking the helm George faced the challenges of a nomadic orchestra during the 80's and 90's. The MVPO was performing in churches and schools located in the Merrimac Valley but with vision and perseverance, he brought the MVPO to a higher level of excellence. A memorable concert took place in 1983 when Leonard Bernstein, who was born in Lawrence, MA, visited the city for his 65th birthday. George conducted the MVPO with Bernstein selections while the Maestro sat in the front row at the outdoor concert. This was an especially significant event; "Lenny" was one of George's teachers!
For it's 25th Anniversary Season in 1985 George conducted Beethoven's 9th Symphony, ('Choral'); he also programmed a Gala Birthday Party with guest artists: Joan Kennedy, Ron Della Chiesa and Herb Pomeroy and his Orchestra. A year later at the Collins Center in Andover, MA George conducted the MVPO in three performances of "The Nutcracker" featuring the Pittsburg Ballet Theater. Another memorable concert was performing Saint-Saens "Organ Symphony" at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall.
In 2000 Maestro Monseur and the MVPO finally settled into the Rogers Center at Merrimack College in N. Andover. For the next 15 years George was able to expand his repertoire and stretch the orchestra to greater heights. Under his direction outdoor summer concerts took place at Maudsley State Park in Newburyport. There were 4th of July concerts in Salem, NH as well as at Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA where the challenge for George was to time our Americana selections to the fireworks display!
The MVPO celebrated it's 50th Anniversary in 2010-2011. John Ferrillo from the Boston Symphony Orchestra performed the Mozart Oboe Concerto. Also, George was delighted to conduct Beethoven's "Triple Concerto" featuring piano, cello and violin. Soloists including young performers have always enjoyed working with him.
In 2017 the Timberlane Performing Arts Center in Plaistow, NH became the new home for the MVPO and our conductor. Marking the end of 35 years as our Music Director, Mr. Monseur conducted a world premiere with duo pianists Marilyn Morales and Kirk Whipple of works which they composed. The MVPO will miss George on the podium with his animated face, expressive hands and zany sense of humor!
Thank you, George, for your 35 years of being our Music Director and Conductor of the MVPO!
