Health and Harmony on the Harbor
HISTORY OF THE LONGWOOD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Drawn primarily from Boston's medical community, the members of Longwood Symphony exemplify both dedication to music and a genuine commitment to community service. In 1991, Longwood Symphony made the significant decision to use its performances to raise both funds and awareness for medical causes through its Healing Art of Music™ program. Since then, Longwood Symphony has collaborated with 31 organizations, raising over $800,000 to aid Boston’s medically underserved.
During the regular concert season, Longwood Symphony performs four concerts in New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, regarded as one of the most acoustically perfect performance spaces in the world. The orchestra also performs an open-air concert every summer at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade.
Recognizing the uniqueness of the orchestra, Artistic Director Jonathan McPhee programs a musical repertoire that is equally distinctive. Nearly every concert features an intriguing musical gem from the 20th century. Over the past ten years, Longwood Symphony has performed three world premieres dedicated to the orchestra and at least one Boston premiere each season.
Recognized for its dual mission of community service and musical performance, Longwood Symphony received the 2007 League of American Orchestras/MetLife Award for Excellence in Community Engagement. The Wall Street Journal, the Catalogue for Philanthropy, and Symphony Magazine have similarly praised Longwood Symphony for both its musical excellence and its commitment to community service.