The curtain doesn't rise for another three months, but members of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra are spending summer hard at work preparing its 54th season — the orchestra's second in its renovated home at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Work isn't confined to preparations for a schedule of familiar favorites and lesser-known masterworks. Summertime tasks also include completion of the orchestra's acoustic shell — with reflective ceiling panels installed to more fully direct the orchestra's sound toward the audience.
Subscriptions are on sale for the season, which opens Oct. 2-3 with an international program by 19th- and 20th-century composers, including Richard Wagner, Jean Sibelius, Manuel de Falla and Leonard Bernstein.
Karen Smith, chairwoman of the orchestra board, noted that last fall, the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra celebrated the opening of its new season with a preconcert party that was "our most successful fundraiser ever."
A similar opening night celebration" is scheduled for both Oct. 2 and 3.
Next in the season, the orchestra will present a program of Debussy, Dvorak and Brahms on Nov. 13-14.
Concerts on March 4-5 feature Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in D Major and Shostakovich's Concerto for Violoncello No. 1, with an encore performance March 6 at the Music Center at Strathmore. Then on April 1-2, the works of Beethoven, Schumann, Ives and Schubert will be performed.
The formal season closes May 6-7 with a program featuring the works of Smetana, Fung, Britten and Franck.
An additional holiday pops concert, "Simply Sinatra Christmas," is scheduled for Dec. 18.
The orchestra strives to reach wider audiences through several programs.
The annual Labor Day Pops in the Park concert of light classics attracts thousands to Quiet Waters Park. Outreach programs for younger listeners include the annual family concert with its Meet the Musicians segment, and the Music Van program brings orchestra musicians and instruments to county elementary schools to provide hands-on learning.
Additionally, the orchestra invites more than 2,000 second-graders each year to an interactive concert where they hear music in a theater setting.
In the Adopt-a-School Program, musicians with Annapolis Symphony Orchestra visit schools to coach music students — who play side-by-side with orchestra musicians in a concert. The Annapolis Symphony at Your Library program features musicians performing interactive concerts at each of the county's 15 library branches, allowing children and adults to learn about classical music.
For the 2015-2016 season, expanded programs for children and adults will be combined with ongoing projects.
Such progress would not be possible without the orchestra's maestro, Jose-Luis Novo, at the helm.
Since his appointment in 2005 as music director and conductor, Novo has strived for musical excellence in programming and increasing the number of first-rate musicians performing with the orchestra on a regular basis. He has also fostered collaborations with renowned guest artists to further elevate all presentations.
Assessing the orchestra's progress, Novo acknowledges the caliber of its musicians.
"It is very important that we perform music that expands our horizons, because orchestra musicians get tired of playing the same music all the time," he said. "The ASO musicians enjoy challenging works, and can excel at any music they are given."
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra began 54 years ago with a mission to present fine music in Anne Arundel County — a goal pursued by co-founder and initial board president Philip Richebourg.
His guidance is honored with the Richebourg Music Director Chair — which for the past decade has been occupied by Novo.
For more details call the box office at 410-263-0907 or main Annapolis Symphony Orchestra office at 410-269-1132, or go to annapolissymphony.org. Separate tickets are available for the season's opening events.