Greetings from the Board Chair and Executive Director
Dear Friends,
Christy Horan and Steven Sunderman
On behalf of the May Festival, May Festival Chorus and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, we are honored and excited to present the May Festival’s 150th season, which is poised to be our biggest season yet!
In Ken Smith’s article, “May Festival 150th Anniversary," he talks with the composers and conductors who make this year’s Festival one of a kind.
Named by BBC Music Magazine as “One of the Best Classical Music Festivals in the United States and Canada” for the third year in a row, the May Festival has been at the forefront of innovating choral music to the highest artistic and performance standards. Since the first May Festival in 1873, the Festival has grown to become the longest-running choral festival in the Western Hemisphere, cultivating diverse audiences, choirs and singers with the utmost passion for choral music. In fact, within the last two years, the May Festival Chorus has welcomed 57 new members, making this year’s Chorus the largest in recent memory, and the youngest and most diverse in the history of the May Festival.
This season, the May Festival is honoring its vast and extensive legacy of groundbreaking commissions and premieres. To honor this history, the May Festival embarked on an innovative choral commissioning project, “25 for 25: A New Time for Choral Music,” in collaboration with the Luna Composition Lab, founded by composers Missy Mazzoli and Ellen Reid. Luna Composition Lab provides mentorship, educational resources and professional development for female, non-binary and gender nonconforming composers ages 13–18. Through this collaborative effort, the young composers have written 25 new choral works for 25 choral ensembles throughout Greater Cincinnati. Writer Anne Arenstein had an opportunity to speak with the composers, choral directors and mentors about how these commissions came to life, for her article.
What would a 150th anniversary be without a look back at our origins? Craig Doolin’s article, “Beginnings of the Cincinnati May Festival and Music Hall," describes the early years of the May Festival and the events leading up to the construction of the now iconic Cincinnati Music Hall. Cincinnati’s highly developed arts scene was catalyzed by the founding of the May Festival. “Cincinnati’s Modern Musical Landscape” by Tyler M. Secor, examines the many cultural organizations that emerged in the two decades after the founding of the May Festival.
Our history is unmatched, and it is through this history that we see our future. Hannah Edgar’s piece, “By Looking Backward, May Festival Springs Forward," illuminates those events in our past that continue to inform what we do today.
We are very grateful to the members of the May Festival Chorus and the May Festival Youth Chorus, who have showcased exemplary and exceptional talent, maintaining our 150-year long reputation as the standard for choral relevance, evolution, innovation and excellence. Without their dedication, passion and incredible musicianship, none of what we do would be possible. We are just as thankful to our artistic leadership, who skillfully prepare and lead our choruses for every performance. This season marks the conclusion of Principal Conductor Juanjo Mena’s tenure with the May Festival, and David Lyman talks with those who have worked closely with Mena about his final Festival. Director of Choruses Robert Porco leads the May Festival Chorus in his record-setting 34th season; during his tenure he has expertly prepared the Chorus for almost every major choral and orchestra work in the standard repertoire for May Festival, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Ballet concerts.
Director of the May Festival Youth Chorus Matthew Swanson brings together and elevates some of the most talented young singers in the Greater Cincinnati area. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be part of the May Festival Youth Chorus? DiDi Turley talks with some of the Youth Chorus members about the amazing experiences they have had as part of the ensemble.
From the Choruses, Orchestra, artistic leadership, crew, staff and soloists, we express our deep gratitude for every single audience member, donor and sponsor. Without all of you, none of this would be possible! We sincerely thank you for your attendance, sponsorship and support of the May Festival. It is an absolute honor to present the 150th season of the May Festival, and we hope for your continued support and enjoyment as we continue to cement Cincinnati’s legacy as “The City that Sings,” and as we embark on the next 150 years—and beyond!
Christy Horan, Chair, Board of Directors
Steven Sunderman, Executive Director