Vision Statement
History of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra
Fun Facts
News
Kevin Rhodes, Music Director
Orchestra Roster
Board of Directors
Administration
Hire TSO Musicians
Annual Report
Advertise with the TSO

Employment
Contact us

Our vision is to be a cultural model for the region, exciting a diverse and growing audience through artistic excellence, strong leadership and sustainable operations.

We are a regional professional orchestra serving northern Michigan, creating educational opportunities and community enrichment through excellence in symphonic and other musical experiences.

• We have a Passion for symphonic music and music education, and for harnessing its power as a positive social force.


• We have a Commitment to making it possible for professional musicians to live, perform and teach in our community; and to optimizing the orchestra's role in regional quality of life.


• Integrity is the means by which we conduct our business, and is the substance of all our dealings with customers, volunteers, vendors and employees.


• The Pursuit of Excellence guides our every step, every day, in every endeavor.


• We seek to Embrace Growth, so that the way we do things tomorrow will be better than the way we do things today.


• We seek to Empower of our Board, our volunteers, our staff and, most importantly, our musicians, to be the best they can be.


• We strive to be Accountable to our stakeholders, as faithful stewards of the resources entrusted to us.

The Traverse Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is emerging as Northwestern Lower Michigan's leading regional orchestra. In 2001-2002 the TSO welcomed new music director Kevin Rhodes, whose presence has resulted in heightened regional visibility, critical acclaim and sold-out concerts. The orchestra's subscription season, from September to April, consists of eight concert cycles - six classical symphonic programs, and two pops programs. Performances feature quality guest artists from the national and international circuit. Recent guests include violinist Frank Almond, tenor Eric Ashcraft, cellist Elizabeth Bert, soprano Ollie Watts Davis, mezzo-soprano Stacy Eckert, pianist Ralph Votapek and trumpeter Doc Severinsen.

Founded 53 years ago by Traverse City violinist Elnora Milliken as a community amateur ensemble, the TSO has evolved into a regional professional (part-time) orchestra, with a core base of quality musicians from throughout the area. Many hold music-related positions as faculty and staff members of nearby Interlochen Arts Academy. An increasing number of musicians travel from as far as Lansing, Grand Rapids and the tri-city area to perform with the TSO.

The TSO consists of a full-time professional staff of four and a part-time staff of four; a music director and 60-plus contracted core musicians. A 23-member Board of Directors and the 185-member Traverse Symphony Orchestra Associates together comprise a committed group of volunteers who provide ongoing support for the organization. The TSO is a non-profit corporation supported through ticket sales, donations, corporate and state gifts and grants.

Throughout its history, the TSO has shared facilities, instruments and equipment, as well as human and physical resources, with the Traverse City Area Public Schools. TSO's Music in the Schools program provides youth with opportunities to hear live orchestral music, meet musicians personally and receive specialized instruction on their instruments. The Saturday Family Symphony series provides children aged four to nine with their first encounter with orchestral music and instruments. In addition, the TSO has developed three ensembles for young musicians of varying age groups under the auspices of the Traverse Youth Orchestras: the Symphony Orchestra, the Concert Orchestra, and the Serenade Strings.

Currently performing in three local venues, the TSO appears at Interlochen's Corson Auditorium, the City Opera House, and at Lars Hockstad Auditorium, part of the Traverse City Area Public Schools. Long an important regional resource, the TSO is in a period of strategic growth to better serve the changing needs of the area. Its education and outreach programs serve ages 4 to 20, as well as adults, and its musicians teach and perform in a wide range of venues and settings throughout the region. The TSO believes that the presence of qualified resident musicians is important to building a creative vital community workforce, and the organization is committed to providing the opportunity for artists to live, work and practice in this region.

The TSO is a leader of a growing performing arts community in an area known for its great scenic beauty and strong commitment to the arts. This commitment is reflected in its mission: To be a regional professional orchestra serving northern Michigan, creating educational opportunities and community enrichment through excellence in symphonic and other musical experiences.

• The Traverse Symphony Orchestra celebrated its 50th Anniversary Season in 2001-2002 as the Grand Traverse region's largest resident performing arts organization and the only regional professional orchestra in Northwestern Michigan.
  
  
• Under new Music Director Kevin Rhodes, its artistic quality has continued to climb. The Traverse City Record-Eagle recently wrote that "We no longer have to travel to Detroit or Chicago to hear a fine symphony orchestra. We have one right here."
  
  
• Its main subscription series has increased from 6 to 8 concerts, and repeat performances of most concerts have brought the total number of performances to 14. New regional marketing and outreach efforts have more than doubled the TSO's audience, achieving a 173% increase in total attendance during the past five seasons.
  
  
• TSO musicians come from the surrounding five-county area, but also from such diverse locations as Midland, Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. Musicians are paid professionals, many of whom teach and perform elsewhere. The TSO is truly a regional orchestra; approximately 30% of the musicians travel more than two hours to perform with us.
  
  
• The TSO serves virtually all ages. Its Saturday Family Symphony series introduces children ages 3-8 to orchestral music. TSO also reaches thousands of elementary, middle and high school students through the Music in the Schools program. In addition Traverse Youth Orchestras provides ensemble experience for young musicians from elementary through junior college.
  
  
• 40% of the TSO's budget comes from ticket sales and other sources of earned revenue. The remaining 60% is raised from annual contributions from corporations, foundations and individuals. This support enables the TSO to keep its ticket prices accessible to diverse income levels, and to provide youth education programs at low or no cost to participants.

Edward J. Downing has been named the new executive director of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. The announcement culminates a six-month committee search to find a successor to former director Andy Buelow. "We’re thrilled," exclaimed Gingras, “this is one of those rare opportunities for our symphony organization. And we felt Ed’s appointment was a natural.” His duties, said Gingras, will be a continuation of the activities he is already involved in:

Working directly with the board to implement the TSO strategic plan;

Continuing a close partnership with Music Director Kevin Rhodes;

Management of TSO administrative staff;

Fund development, marketing and public relations.

Since Buelow’s departure in November to head the Tacoma Symphony in Washington, Downing has been serving as interim director of the TSO.
A familiar face and name in the regional arts and cultural community, he is president emeritus of Interlochen Center for the Arts, a position he held from 1998 to 2003. A twenty-five year Interlochen veteran, he served as the school’s Vice President for Education for many years.

“Having followed the artistic and organizational growth of the TSO for 30 years, I am pleased to provide leadership at this critical state of the orchestra’s history. I am both honored and energized.”

TSO board vice president Jerome Jelinek chaired the six-member director search committee. It was comprised of board members and symphony musicians, and was assisted by Professional Solutions Plus, a local based professional employment firm. Jelinek noted that the committee reviewed about a dozen applicants for the position. “Our review of candidates highlighted the significant strengths and talents of our interim director. Ed is a highly respected member of the arts community, familiar with the symphony, the area and our audience, and our TSO staff has enjoyed working with him. The search committee enthusiastically recommended him for the position.”

TSO Music Director Kevin Rhodes hailed Downing’s appointment as a natural step in the continued growth of the symphony. “We have made superb progress over the past seven years. With Ed as a permanent member of our management family we will continue our momentum and I look forward to working with him.”

Since conducting his inaugural concert as Music Director of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, Kevin Rhodes has led the ensemble to a new level of artistic excellence, with high audience acclaim, rave reviews, and sellout houses. Patrons have called his performances with the TSO "wonderful," "extraordinary" and "magical"; one audience member noted, "we are so lucky to live in this area." The Traverse City Record-Eagle called the season "an exciting step forward," commenting, "50 years of wonderful music is quite a gift." Harbor Light, the newspaper of Harbor Springs, lauded the orchestra's "wonderful energy and musical beauty - they are our Symphony and one we can all be proud and eager to hear."
Resuming his career in the U.S. after ten years in Europe, the dynamic young American has achieved a remarkable level of international success, having been recognized - among other accolades - as "a highly accomplished conductor" by Opernwelt. By the end of the 2002/2003 season, Mr. Rhodes had conducted nearly 800 performances in Europe with 20 different orchestras, including the Vienna State Opera Orchestra (the Vienna Philharmonic), the Berlin Staatskappelle, the Zagreb Philharmonic, the D¸sseldorf Symphony, the Duisburg Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of Madrid and the Basel Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Rhodes serves as Music Director of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra in Massachusetts. He was previously the Conductor of Das Collegium Musicum Orchester in Heidelberg, and Music Director and Conductor of the Albuquerque Civic Light Opera in New Mexico. Kevin Rhodes began his professional conducting career at the age of 16 in his hometown of Evansville, Indiana. He received his B.M. in Piano Performance from Michigan State University where he studied conducting with Maestro Leon Gregorian, and earned his M.M. in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Illinois under the tutelage of Paul Vermel. He continued his studies with Maestro Vermel at the Aspen Music Festival.


Paul Sonner, Concertmaster
   Elnora Toldo Milliken Founder's Chair
Anton Shelepov, Associate Concertmaster
Ching-Wen Tseng, Assistant Concertmaster
Beth Weston, Principal
Christopher Amidon
Maria Bucco
Glenys Cowperthwaite
Fran Harris*
Lorri Hedlund
Lori Hilger*
Caroline Holden
Leilani Kitler
Prudence Kurtz
Judith Loveless*#
Constance Markwick*
Carolyn McConaha*
Mary Miller
Oxana Sourine
Leonid Surin
Ella Villa*
Leslie Wilkinson*

David Holland, Principal
Judy Gienow, Associate Principal
Cesar Suarez, Associate Principal
Margaret Beck
Dalia Garcia*
Karen Morrell
Jan Ostrowski
Laura Staubes

Elizabeth Bert, Principal
Carrie Pierce, Associate Principal
Jean Coonrod
Anne Dickson
Elizabeth Suminski
Lynne Tobin

Gary Gatzke, Principal
Mary Demand
Richard Jaissle
Susan McRae

Nancy Stagnitta, Principal
Tess Miller

Lynn Hansen, Principal
Phil Popham

Jeanmarie Riccobono, Principal
   2007 Charles and Dee Kelly Chair
Jonathan Holden
George Townsend*

Lauren Murphy, Principal
Drew Hinderer*

Robert Pavelek, Principal
Jeff Johnson
Mary Beth Orr
Mike Petterson*

Robert Hicks, Co-Principal
Kenneth Larson, Co-Principal
Scott Sorenson, Associate Principal
David Cowperthwaite

Thomas Riccobono, Principal
James Perez

George Bliss, Principal

Stephen Molnar, Principal

John Alfieri, Principal

Robert Sagan, Co-Principal
David Warne, Co-Principal
Guy Leslie
James Koch*

Joan Holland, Co-Principal
Sylvia Norris, Co-Principal

David Lake, Principal
Dorothy Vogel*

Jack Bert

Richard Jaissle

David Lake

Todd Grant

Mr. Rhodes' podium is a gift of Mr. Fred Zwemer

After the principal player, all players are listed alphabetically

# Charter member
* Supplemental member
** Leave of Absence

Robert Gingras, President
Jerome Jelinek, Vice President
Robert Parker, Immediate Past President
J. Kermit Campbell, Secretary
Richard Johnson, Treasurer
Patricia Gorney, President, TSO Associates

George Anderson - Retired insurance agency owner and agent
John C. Bay - Retired hospital executive
J. Kermit Campbell - Retired corporate executive, entrepreneur
Joyce Downing - Retired retail fashion buyer
Robert Gingras - Financial advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Patricia Gorney, Community Volunteer
Jerome Jelinek - Founder and President, Corporate Title Agency
Richard Johnson - Certified Public Accountant
Dr. Charles Kelly - Retired dentist
Joyce Kempton - Retired pianist
Marlis Mann - Retired travel consultant
Robert Parker - Attorney and Partner, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge
Cindy Ruzak - Owner, Grey Hare Inn Vineyard Bed & Breakfast
Karen Smith - Community Leader
Hon. John W. Unger - Attorney, former probate court judge
Fred Zwemer - Retired industrial engineer

Mr. Downing is the President Emeritus of Interlochen Center for the Arts and held the post of President of that organization from 1998 to 2003.   His tenure saw the expansion of the Interlochen Arts Festival to include the many guest artists and ensembles so popular with northern Michigan audiences.  It also saw the successful completion of the five-year Campaign for Interlochen, which surpassed its $45 million goal by 17%; the successful 75^th Anniversary Celebration; and the completion of such new facilities as the Harvey Theatre, the Frohlich Piano/Percussion Wing, and the Creative Writing building.

Prior to his appointment as General Manager in August of 2007, Zac Moore held the position of Education and Personnel Manager for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. In addition to overseeing the TSO education programs, he also manages all operations of the orchestra.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Zac holds a degree in trumpet performance from Central Michigan University. He became involved in arts administration through internship with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts and Humanities.  He lives in Elk Rapids with his wife, Rachel, and dog, Lucy.

New to the TSO during 2007, Ms. Beauchamp is using the array of skills she has amassed during her more than 25 years of experience in development, nonprofit management, government and public advocacy.  As Director of Development, she solicits individual gifts to the Annual Fund, pursues grants from public, corporate and private sources and works to secure planned and endowment gifts.

A native of the Upper Peninsula, Ms. Beauchamp moved to Traverse City in 1996 to become Executive Director of United Way of Northwest Michigan, a position she held for 10 years.  She had been Executive Director of United Way of Marquette County prior to moving here.  Her varied career includes seven years as an account executive in the Michigan Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Development Group assigned to Governor James Blanchard’s Upper Peninsula office.  Ms. Beauchamp has also Development Director of WMNU-TV, Northern Michigan’s Public Television station, and Staff Assistant to U. S. Senator Donald W. Riegle throughout his first term.

 

Ms. Beauchamp relishes telling donors and potential donors that the artistic growth the TSO has experienced in recent years is remarkable, and it is extremely rare for a community of our size to enjoy such a high quality orchestra.  She also immediately adds that our biggest challenge is to implement a long-term financial plan that will sustain this excellence without being able to rely on the same extensive corporate and foundation presence that support the arts in large cities.

Ms. Beauchamp has a Bachelor of Science Degree in political science and journalism and a masters degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University, which named her its first Outstanding Young Alumnus. She is married to Traverse City attorney Barry Levine, and they have four children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Cowperthwaite is available for hire to play trumpet in a solo capacity for weddings etc as well as in small or large ensembles of any style of music. Private trumpet instruction in home studio is also available. He has been a member of the TSO trumpet section since 1973 and a band director with TCAPS from 1976 to 2006. For more information please contact Dave at copsys@chartermi.net or by phone at:
VM: 231-933-7961
H: 231-947-0861
Cell: 231-633-4952

Festival Strings is a versatile ensemble of experienced musicians. We provide string duets, trios, quartets or more - whichever works best for your special event! We will gladly provide a quote depending on length of event and mileage from Traverse City. Festival Strings offers a variety of musical selections from Classical, Irish, and Jewish to Popular music. CDs are available upon request. Please contact Jan Ostrowski at 231-271-4983 or jostrowski@chartermi.net for more information.

Music for any occasion - private parties, black tie events, fanfares, weddings and ceremonies - we are happy to travel to your event! Ensembles designed to make the most of any occasion, we can provide all ensembles from string quartets, brass fanfares, woodwind quintets to harp and flute. Please contact Robert Pavelek for a quote, more information and to book an ensemble at 231-271-5334 or rpavelek@charter.net .

Elegant Music for Special Occasions
Classical, Light Classical and Popular music for your wedding, party or special gathering. Your event will be unforgettable with enchanting music from the Peninsula String Trio. Please contact Lynne Tobin at 231-271-2880 or lynnetobin@aol.com

Classical and Pops Chamber Music appropriate for: weddings, receptions, parties, dinner music, banquets, conventions and school concerts
Solo: violin or cello
Duo: violin & cello
Trios: 2 violins & cello or violin, viola & cello
Quartets: 2 violins, viola & cello
Jack is concertmaster emeritus of the TSO, and Liz is TSO's Principal cello. They have both performed extensively throughout Northwestern Michigan for more than 20 years. They provide music for weddings, receptions, parties, banquets, educational programs and other special occasions. Liz and Jack may be contacted at 231-276-9020, or at JackBert@charter.net

The TSO Brass Ensemble is available for weddings and other special occasions. This highly versatile group plays everything from Bach to Beatles, from wedding processionals to swing tunes. Liven up your occasion with this fun and exciting ensemble. For more information and to book the TSO Brass Ensemble please contact Scott Sorenson at 231-947-1700 or scottysps@chartermi.net .

You won't be able to keep yours or anyone else's feet from tapping when this group begins performing at your special event! This seven-piece ensemble of TSO musicians perform rags, blues, marches and all your Dixie land favorites such as "When the Saints go Marching In" and "Basin Street Blues". Please contact Thomas Riccobono for more information and to book the ensemble. 231-935-4335 or riccokolar@gmail.com .
Did you know that 80% of Americans agree that when they see information about a company supporting a cause, they are more likely to remember that company?

TSO patrons are likely to:

• Have greater disposable income
• Be major investors
• Hold higher degrees and professional/managerial occupations

Advertising in the TSO's playbill is a great way to reach the right customers with a positive message about your business that they will be exposed to repeatedly - and retain!

During the 2005-2006 season, TSO audiences continued to grow, surpassing 12,000 ticket buyers, an increase of 21% over previous seasons. During the past five seasons, audiences to TSO concerts have more than doubled. Consider the influential and affluent clientele you can reach by advertising with the TSO in the 2006-2007 season program book!

To extend our advertisers' reach even further, during the 2006-2007 season you can place the same ad - or a specially tailored message - in the Traverse Youth Orchestras program book, with the purchase of a combined ad package at a very reasonable rate. In addition to providing great exposure for your business, you will also be providing critical support to the TSO while demonstrating your commitment to the youth, culture and high quality of life in our community.

We are fortunate to have the support of the community, and especially of businesses like yours, as we continue to build a vital, artistically excellent symphony to serve the Grand Traverse area. Please help support your Traverse Symphony Orchestra and reach an ever- increasing audience for your business by advertising with the TSO today!


Download an advertising rate sheet and agreement

Edward J. Downing, Executive Director
231-947-7120, ext. 4
edowning@tso-online.org

Zac Moore, General Manager
231-947-7120, ext. 6
zmoore@tso-online.org

Becky Beauchamp, Director of Development
231-947-7120, ext. 5
bbeauchamp@tso-online.org

Krista Cooper, Box Office and Database Manager
231-947-7120, ext. 7
kcooper@tso-online.org

Lindsay Mang, Bookkeeper
231-947-7120, ext. 8
lmang@tso-online.org

Julie Rhodes, Office and Marketing Manager
231-947-7120, ext. 3
jrhodes@tso-online.org

Administrative Offices
300 E. Front Street, Suite 230
231-947-7120
Fax: 231-947-8118
TSO@tso-online.org