Role

:

Ensemble

Genre

:

Symphony

 

 

Vocal

 

Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra is a classical music ensemble based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The orchestra was founded in 1980 by Thomas O'Connor, a conductor and music educator who had previously served as the music director of the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra. O'Connor's vision for the ensemble was to create a professional orchestra that would bring world-class classical music performances to the Santa Fe community. The founding members of the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra were a group of local musicians who shared O'Connor's passion for classical music. The ensemble began with just 13 members, but quickly grew in size and reputation. Today, the orchestra is made up of over 30 professional musicians from around the world, many of whom have performed with major orchestras and chamber ensembles. One of the highlights of the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra's early years was its collaboration with the Santa Fe Opera. In 1982, the orchestra provided the music for the opera's production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." This collaboration continued for several years, with the orchestra providing the music for several other productions at the Santa Fe Opera. In addition to its work with the Santa Fe Opera, the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra has also collaborated with other major arts organizations in the Santa Fe area, including the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the Lensic Performing Arts Center. The orchestra has also performed at major venues around the country, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Over the years, the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades for its performances. In 1999, the orchestra was awarded the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, the highest honor given to artists and arts organizations in the state of New Mexico. The orchestra has also been praised by critics for its innovative programming and high level of musicianship. One of the most notable aspects of the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra's programming is its commitment to performing works by contemporary composers. The orchestra has commissioned and premiered works by a number of living composers, including John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon, and Augusta Read Thomas. This commitment to new music has helped to keep the orchestra at the forefront of the classical music world and has earned it a reputation as a leader in the field of contemporary classical music. Another highlight of the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra's programming is its focus on chamber music. The orchestra frequently performs works for smaller ensembles, such as string quartets and wind quintets, in addition to its larger orchestral performances. This focus on chamber music has helped to create a more intimate and engaging concert experience for audiences and has allowed the orchestra to showcase the individual talents of its musicians. In recent years, the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra has faced some challenges, including financial difficulties and changes in leadership. In 2017, the orchestra announced that it would be suspending its operations due to financial constraints. However, the orchestra was able to secure funding and support from the community and was able to resume its operations in 2018. Today, the Santa Fe Pro Musica Orchestra continues to be a vital part of the Santa Fe arts community.

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