NEC in All-Star Orchestra

Everyone knows about the major league baseball All-Star Game played at the mid-point of each baseball season and with dream teams chosen that combine the best of the best players. Last summer, there was a new All-Star team—this one composed of the best of the best orchestral players from symphony orchestras throughout the United States.

Under the leadership of founding conductor Gerard Schwartz, the All-Star Orchestra assembled to record eight one-hour television episodes that will explore both familiar and new works grouped around themes. The segments, which will feature both conversation and performance, will also be released as a DVD set by Naxos Records.  The TV episodes will begin airing over PBS stations beginning this weekend. (So far, however, WGBH and its affiliates have not yet announced air times for the Boston area).

NEC is delighted to announce that four alumni and two faculty members were selected for the All-Stars. They include:

Alumni players:
Rachel Ku ’11 MM viola, Member of the Philadelphia Orchestra
Les Roettges ’82 BM flute, Principal flute of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
Stephanie Mortimore ’87 MM flute, Principal Piccolo of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Thomas V. Smith ’81BM trumpet, Member of the New York Philharmonic

Faculty players:
Jessica Zhou, harp, Principal Harp of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
John Ferrillo, oboe, Principal Oboe of the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Composer:
Richard Danielpour, ’80 BM  Arranging