New England Conservatory and Phoenix Embark On New Collaboration

New England Conservatory and Phoenix embark on a new collaborative relationship, anchored by the many connections between the Conservatory and the Orchestra. The partnership marks a series of firsts: the first performance of the orchestra at Jordan Hall on March 27, the debut of Music Director and NEC alumnus Joshua Weilerstein '09, '11 MM, and the start of administrative and composition fellowships between NEC and the Orchestra.

Weilerstein comments,

"To me, and to so many other members of Phoenix, NEC feels like home, so it is a thrill to announce this new artistic partnership with NEC, a partnership that will immeasurably broaden our shared missions of bringing music, education, and joy, to the city of Boston. To have the first concert of this new partnership be my very first concert with Phoenix as Music Director is just icing on the cake."

The partnership's administrative fellowship will give current NEC students paid opportunities to gain real world experience with an organization that has become a staple in the Boston music scene, while the composition fellowship will award a commission each year, giving an NEC composer the chance to have their work performed and recorded by Phoenix.

Benjamin Sosland, Provost and Dean of the Faculty comments,

“When Phoenix returns to perform here at NEC–the place where it all began for them–it feels like a real homecoming. And the fact that they have decided to pay it forward by offering important fellowship opportunities to our emerging composers and aspiring arts administrators amplifies our goal of educating the whole musician by providing real-world experiences. We congratulate Joshua on his appointment as music director and look forward to working together with Phoenix to ensure a vibrant future for music in Boston.”

Phoenix was founded in 2014 by a group of NEC alumni with the mission to expand the reach of classical music by presenting concerts in social and accessible atmospheres.

Weilerstein’s appointment as Music Director was hailed by CRB’s Brian McCreath as, “bringing together an international conductor with local roots and one of Boston’s most dynamic ensembles.” This new partnership establishes a symbiotic relationship of artistic and administrative collaboration, and further embraces the deep ties between Phoenix and NEC.

Christina Dioguardi '14 MM, '15 GD, General Manager and Principal Bassoon of Phoenix, says,

“It is truly a full-circle moment for us as we return to the place where Phoenix was born, while most of our founding members were students at NEC. We cannot wait to collaborate with the next generation of NEC students as we embark on this very exciting new chapter for the organization.”

Phoenix’s March 27th performance at Jordan Hall includes folk-inspired music by Béla Bartók, Gabriela Lena Frank, Osvaldo Golijov, and Florence Price as well as Ludwig van Beethoven’s jubilant 7th Symphony.