Musicians of the San Antonio Symphony Performance Fund, a supporter of symphony members who presented concerts during the symphony’s final months in operation, is launching the San Antonio Philharmonic to continue a mission of classical music performance, education and community engagement.
According to an Aug. 24 news release, San Antonio Philharmonic is the new name for the MOSAS Performance Fund, which provided three concerts last spring involving many San Antonio Symphony members prior to the symphony board and management dissolving the group.
San Antonio Philharmonic president and bassoonist Brian Petkovitch said in a statement that the new organization’s main objective is to embrace a local, music-loving community and to share a sense of belonging and connection.
The Symphony Society of San Antonio last June announced that the symphony was dissolving and filing for bankruptcy, leaving other local classical music advocates to wonder about the future of classical music performance and education around San Antonio.
SAP representatives said 60-70 former symphony musicians are taking part in the new group’s debut season.
“Our programming and outreach will honor the history, diversity and culture of our city. We are seeking ways to involve new audiences in the transformative power of music by partnering with organizations around the city,” Petkovitch said.
Petkovitch said the San Antonio Philharmonic’s musicians, who come from around the world and call San Antonio home, are determined to instill residents with greater enthusiasm for classical music—something that he said is important during a time of disruption and uncertainty.
“This is an historic opportunity to do something special and lasting, and we invite everyone to be part of continuing this cultural legacy for San Antonio,” Petkovitch said.
The release said the philharmonic’s launch is accompanied by the roll out of a performance season that will include 36 Young People’s Concerts, a series of free concerts for local students. The release added that 40% of Young People’s Concerts will be held in nine local high school auditoriums this season.
The rest of the philharmonic’s first season will feature 10 classical and three pops concerts, all under a common name/theme of “Forward Together/Adelante Juntos,” SAP officials said.
Concerts will be led by major conductors, such as Ken-David Masur, Sebastian Lang-Lessing and Christopher Wilkins. Guest artists include concert pianists John Kimura Parker and William Wolfram; soprano Vanessa Becerra; and other established and emerging artists.
All public concerts will take place at First Baptist Church of San Antonio, 515 McCullough Ave., a downtown church that hosted MOSAS’ programs last spring.
Tickets are available for the entire season, a partial season or for individual concerts. The public is invited to a reception to visit with musicians and purchase tickets at two different times: 4-7 p.m. Aug. 25 and 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 27. Both receptions will be held at the Maverick Carter House, 110 Taylor St., a half block south of First Baptist Church.
Additionally, the San Antonio Mastersingers will present two concerts in their 2022-23 season with the philharmonic, the release said.
SAP officials said individual donations are largely responsible for the philharmonic’s ability to move forward and that small business and corporate donations also are welcome.
Local branding and marketing firm Robot Creative was asked by SAP to create a logo and website for the new orchestra, the release added.
