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History:
Celebrating our Silver Anniversary
On
March 16, 2005, the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans was happy
to celebrate its 25th birthday. For over a quarter of century, MASNO
has been presenting classical music in New Orleans. As we mark our
silver anniversary, we continue to add concerts and educational
programs to our schedule, as well as continue the fine tradition
of performances that include the New Orleans International Piano
Competition, Concerto Showcase, Nocturne, the New Orleans Piano
Institute, and the annual Keyboard Festival.
Originally founded in 1980 as the New Orleans Institute for the
Performing Arts by Melvin G. Alford and Julianne Nice, the initial
aim of the organization was to provide students and teachers in
the performing arts with masterclasses and workshops, as well as
expose them to performances by artists in the mainstream of professional
activity.
Since our beginning, MASNO has provided both artists and students
an opportunity to perform for appreciative audiences, assisting
students in developing skills necessary to build artistic discipline,
all while in a comfortable and supportive environment. MASNO has
continued to encourage the performance of emerging and lesser known
works, as well engaging the community to participate in all areas
of the arts, particularly classical music.
Each summer, MASNO has presented the New Orleans Keyboard Festival,
an eight day event featuring masterclasses, lectures, and recitals.
In 1989, MASNO members Madelyn Trible and Raymond Gitz saw the opportunity
to augment the summer festival, and in 1989 the New Orleans International
Piano Competition was born. William Koehler was the victor of the
inaugural competition, and since that first year the competition
has continued to expand in scope, attracting competitors and audiences
from around the globe, and currently regarded as one of the finest
showcases of pianistic talent.
In the fall of 1994 Melvin Alford, who had served as Executive Director
of the New Orleans Institute for the Performing Arts since its inception,
passed on the leadership of the organization to Daniel Weilbaecher,
who currently serves as Executive & Artistic Director. In 1996,
the name of the organization was changed to the Musical Arts Society
of New Orleans - MASNO.
In 1999, the organization took another step in its educational pursuits
and created the New Orleans Piano Institute. The Piano Institute
attracts talented college and high school students for an intensive
week of study and performance, and the faculty regularly combines
the best local instructors with teachers from some of the finest
educational institutions around the world. Shearon Horton and Raymond
Gitz serve as directors of the New Orleans Piano Institute.
The Concerto Showcase began as a corollary to the New Orleans International
Piano Competition in 2004. During the summer, only solo piano repertoire
is performed as part of the competition requirements. The Concerto
Showcase was added to give the three finalists from the previous
year's competition the opportunity to perform with full orchestra.
The first two Concerto Showcases, featuring the Louisiana Philharmonic
Orchestra led by Klauspeter Seibel, have been a great success, enjoyed
by the performers and the audiences.
MASNO continues to be a vital component of the local music community,
striving not only to present the highest quality of performances,
but to encourage the growth of supportive audiences for all classical
music events throughout the city.
VISION STATEMENT
MASNO's vision is to be
a primary force in establishing New Orleans as a vital and vibrant
center of classical music, recognized regionally, nationally and
internationally
MISSION STATEMENT
MASNO's mission is (1)
to create opportunities to hear, participate in, and appreciate
performances of classical music by established and emerging artists;
(2) to encourage the development of supportive, knowledgeable and
enthusiastic audiences for concerts presented by the Musical Arts
Society and other musical organizations; (3) to nurture the development
of talent; and (4) to champion music education.
Click
here to view the Board
of Directors
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