An Important Audition! In 80 years of performing for our community, the Winston-Salem Symphony has only had a handful of Concertmasters. Fewer, even, than the number of Music Directors on our podium. As the musician who works most closely with the Music Director, the Concertmaster of the orchestra (called the “Leader” in the UK and […]
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A contract position, the Marketing & Communications Specialist provides hands-on marketing, communications, public relations, and digital content support for the Winston-Salem Symphony.
Marketing & Communications Specialist Read More »
The Physics of Fortissimo Did you know that sound waves have a physical “speed limit” on Earth? In our atmosphere, a normal sound wave physically maxes out at 194 decibels. At that exact point, the sound wave creates a total vacuum in its troughs. Anything louder stops being an acoustic sound and becomes a physical kinetic
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Symphonic Dances, Op. 45Sergei Rachmaninoff Sergei Vassilevich Rachmaninoff was born in Oneg, Novgorod on March 20/April 1, 1873 and died in Beverly Hills, CA on March 28, 1943*. Famed as both pianist and composer, Rachmaninoff left Russia after the Revolution of 1917, eventually taking up residence in the United States. His Symphonic Dances was written
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A Kind of TraneGuillaume Connesson French composer, Guillaume Connesson was born in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris on May 5, 1970. His musical training took place at the Conservatoire National de Région de Boulogne-Billancourt and the Conservatoire National de Région de Paris. He counts among his musical influences a variety of historical and contemporary composers representing a
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Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic PictureGeorge Gershwinarr. Robert Russell Bennett George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 26, 1898 and died in Hollywood, CA on July 11, 1937. While his career began as a song plugger in New York City’s Tin Pan Alley, he went on to great success on Broadway in the
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The Winston-Salem Symphony has five (5) vacancies for Section Violin, a position that rotates between first and second violins, and will hold auditions for these per-service positions on September 15, 2026.
The Winston-Salem Symphony has a vacancy for Associate Principal Second Violin and will hold auditions for this per-service position on September 15, 2026.
If one piece captures the spirit of American classical music in the mid-20th century, it might just be Aaron Copland’s Symphony No. 3.
The Sound of an American Moment Read More »
The Winston-Salem Symphony has a vacancy for Concertmaster and will hold first-round online auditions (May 15-July 15 submission window), live auditions (August 31 & September 1) and trial week rounds during the 26/27 concert season.
If you think the world feels politically anxious right now, imagine being a Jewish composer in Germany in 1933. That’s exactly where Kurt Weill found himself — and what he created on his way out the door is one of the most fascinatingly weird, sharp-elbowed pieces in the concert repertoire.
If you think the world feels politically anxious right now, imagine being a Jewish composer in Germany in 1933. That’s exactly where Kurt Weill found himself — and what he created on his way out the door is one of the most fascinatingly weird, sharp-elbowed pieces in the concert repertoire.
Seven Deadly Sins—and the Man Who Fled the Nazis to Write About Them. Read More »
Few pieces of music are as instantly recognizable — or as irresistibly exciting — as Georges Bizet’s Carmen. Whether you’re a lifelong opera devotee or someone who’s never set foot in an opera house, you already know this music. It’s in movies, commercials, figure skating routines, and pop songs. It’s everywhere — and for good reason
¡Olé! The Winston-Salem Symphony Brings Carmen to Life Read More »
Students in Team Mozart—the youngest musicians of the Winston-Salem Symphony’s P.L.A.Y. Music program—graduated recently from the paper violins on which they learn respect for the instrument and proper holding technique for little hands, to their very own real violins! Learn more about P.L.A.Y. Music
A trombone with valves? In a recent episode of our fun new series, Just In Case (in which Winston-Salem Symphony musicians show us what’s inside their mysterious cases), WSS principal trombonist Brian French displayed the things he carries in his case for rehearsals and concerts. Then he showed how he could remove his valve if
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Tree sap in the cello case? In a recent episode of our fun new series, Just In Case (in which Winston-Salem Symphony musicians show us what’s inside their mysterious cases), WSS cellist Jennifer Alexandra Johnston showed us some of the things she keeps inside her case for rehearsals and concerts. But rosin (tree sap) was
Tree sap in the cello case? Read More »
Shhh! This post is about brass mutes! The latest episode of our fun new series, Just In Case (in which Winston-Salem Symphony musicians show us what’s inside their mysterious cases), features WSS trumpeter Ken Wilmot showing off the wide variety of “mutes” that he may need to use during the course of a season of
Shhh! This post is about brass mutes! Read More »
Michelle Merrill to Lead the Winston-Salem Symphony through 2028-2029 Season WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (June 26, 2025) – The Winston-Salem Symphony announced that it has negotiated a new contract with music director Michelle Merrill. Heading into her third season, Merrill will continue as music director of the Winston-Salem Symphony for an additional three years under the terms
Michelle Merrill to Lead the Winston-Salem Symphony through 2028-2029 Season Read More »
The delicate art of reed-making You may have seen our recent social media post featuring the kickoff to a fun new series, Just In Case, in which Winston-Salem Symphony musicians show us what’s inside their mysterious cases. In this episode, WSS principal oboist Claire Kostic displayed the interesting accoutrements inside her fancy backback case—including two
The Winston-Salem Symphony is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Mandy Vollrath as its new Vice President, Chief Philanthropy Officer effective April 1, 2025. Ms. Vollrath was selected from a pool of fifteen applicants, seven semifinalists, and three finalists following a national search led by Aspen Leadership Group and an internal search committee that included Board and staff leadership.
