May 14, 2008
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Christoph Eschenbach embark on 2008 Anniversary Tour of Asia
Three-week tour includes stops in Japan, Korea, and China
Anniversary Tour commemorates 35th anniversary of historic first visit to China in 1973 and 30th anniversary of first visit to Korea
Midori and Lang Lang join Orchestra as soloists;
First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang and Principal Viola Choong-Jin Chang also make solo appearances
AstraZeneca is presenting sponsor of 2008 Anniversary Tour
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides lead support through leadership of Governor Edward G. Rendell, State Senator Vincent J. Fumo, and State Representative Dwight Evans

May 9, 2008
Philadelphia Orchestra presents 2008 Kuhn Award to Concertmaster David Kim
Volunteer Committees honor Paul Arnold, Nancy Bean,
and Judy Geist on their 25th anniversaries

April 30, 2008
Philadelphia Orchestra’s final two Global Concert Series multicasts of the season on May 3 and May 16
Philadelphia Orchestra performs Mahler’s colossal “Symphony of a Thousand” for May 3 broadcast

April 29, 2008
The Philadelphia Orchestra announces 2008 Neighborhood Concerts
Orchestra’s first performance at Cabrini College on June 27 caps
College’s 50th anniversary celebration
Orchestra performs at Gordon Theater at Rutgers-Camden on July 25
Third concert in the Neighborhood Concert series will be announced this summer
Wachovia is presenting sponsor of the Neighborhood Concert series

April 15, 2008
The Philadelphia Orchestra Performs Bernstein’s Symphony No. 3 (“Kaddish”)
Holocaust survivor Samuel Pisar narrates the Symphony with stories from his own experiences
Local talent, the Philadelphia Singers and the American Boychoir join in this special performance

April 15, 2008
The Philadelphia Orchestra performs three “Best of …” concerts in June
“Czech Mix” celebrates Czech and Eastern European composers, June 24
Great Russian composers are honored in “From Russia with Love,” June 25
America takes center stage with “American Postcards,” June 26

April 14, 2008
The Philadelphia Orchestra announces 2008 Summer Concert Series at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
Series opens June 30 – Lawn tickets are FREE if reserved online in May
Rossen Milanov, artistic director of The Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann, leads five concerts including Opening Night featuring superstar cellist Yo-Yo Ma; concert version of  La bohème, and encore performance of Carmina burana
Guest artist lineup includes violinists Leila Josefowicz and Jennifer Koh and pianists Jon Kimura Parker, Orion Weiss, Kirill Gerstein, and Leon McCawley;
conductors include Thomas Wilkins, Bramwell Tovey,
Giancarlo Guerrero, and Andrew Grams
Annual all-Tchaikovsky with fireworks returns July 22

March 27, 2008
YOU, TOO CAN BE A CONDUCTOR! UBS, THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S SEASON SPONSOR, PRESENTS THE UBS VIRTUAL MAESTRO
Interactive kiosk at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts until April 15 allows participants to conduct an orchestra using cutting-edge technology

March 17, 2008
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S GLOBAL CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES ON APRIL 10 WITH MUSIC FROM THE FILM 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

February 17, 2008
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES 2008-2009 SEASON
Charles Dutoit begins tenure as chief conductor and artistic adviser, focusing on music of Berlioz and music of the Ballets Russes

February 15, 2008
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S GLOBAL CONCERT SERIES CONTINUES ON FEBRUARY 22

January 25, 2008
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF BILLY JOEL FUND FOR MUSIC EDUCATION

January 21, 2008
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA CONTINUES GLOBAL CONCERT SERIES WITH LIVE CONCERT TRANSMISSIONS TO MULTIPLE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

December 21, 2007
CIGNA PRESENTS THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S FREE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. TRIBUTE CONCERT AT MARTIN LUTHER KING HIGH SCHOOL
MLK High School hosts Orchestra’s Tribute Concert for third year on January 21
Thomas Wilkins leads Orchestra and Philadelphia All City Choir, Charlotte Blake Alston reads the words of Dr. King, and specially selected high-school students reflect on Dr. King’s legacy

December 19, 2007
DANAIL RACHEV APPOINTED ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA, BEGINNING IN 2008-09 SEASON
Mr. Rachev comes to the Orchestra from the Dallas Symphony, where he has been assistant conductor since 2005

November 29, 2007
THREE NEW MUSICIANS - ALL VIOLINISTS - JOIN PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
William Polk joined in October 2007, Noah Geller begins in January 2008,
and Amy Oshiro arrives in July 2008
Violinist Richard Amoroso named acting assistant concertmaster for 2007-08 season

November 28, 2007
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S BERNSTEIN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC COMPOSER, CONDUCTOR, AND EDUCATOR'S BIRTH
Bernstein works to be performed include Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Symphony No. 1 (“Jeremiah”), and Three Dance Episodes from On the Town
Bernstein’s works are paired with two world premieres by Philadelphia composer Jennifer Higdon
Festival events include a panel discussion, post-concert Dessert Discussions,
a Poetry Project in partnership with Network for New Music, a Postlude Recital, and a Mambo Dance Party

November 16, 2007
SIMON RATTLE RETURNS TO LEAD PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA IN A RARELY-PERFORMED MASTERPIECE
In his only appearance with a North American orchestra, Rattle conducts the Philadelphians’ first-ever performances of Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri
Performances feature sopranos Christine Brandes and Heidi Grant Murphy,
mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink, tenors Joseph Kaiser and Mark Padmore,
bass-baritone Luca Pisaroni, and The Philadelphia Singers Chorale

November 14, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S HOLIDAY CONCERTS OFFER SEASONAL CLASSICS FOR ALL GENERATIONS
Family Concert features holiday music from across the globe
Handel’s beloved Messiah returns for the 47th year of this time-honored tradition
New this year, Holiday Organ and Brass blends the sounds of
the Orchestra’s brass section with the “king of instruments”
The Glorious Sound of Christmas features festive orchestral classics and selections from the Orchestra’s best-selling holiday album
Violinist Leila Josefowicz joins Orchestra members for a New Year’s Eve Concert of music from Vienna and beyond

November 9, 2007
THREE NEW MUSICIANS - ALL VIOLINISTS - JOIN PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
William Polk joined in October 2007, Noah Geller begins in January 2008,
and Amy Oshiro arrives in July 2008
Violinist Richard Amoroso named acting assistant concertmaster for 2007-08 season

October 12, 2007
ENLIST FOR HAYDN'S "MILITARY" SYMPHONY AT PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S SECOND ACCESS CONCERT
Nicholas McGegan introduces audiences to a favorite work by the “father of the symphony”

October 10, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA MASTER CLASS SERIES BRINGS TOGETHER WORLD-CLASS ARTISTS AND YOUNG MUSICIANS
2007-08 Master Classes led by star violinist Midori, organ virtuoso Thierry Escaich, and three musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra

October 10, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA OFFERS CONCERTS TAILOR-MADE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Family Concert Series highlights include Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf,
“The Bernstein Beat” hosted by Jamie Bernstein, and The Composer is Dead
by famed children’s author Lemony Snicket
Sound All Around – a 2007 “Best of Philly” winner – continues in Center City and Bryn Mawr

October 10, 2007
“PODCHESTRA," THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S PODCAST SERIES, RETURNS FOR EXCITING SECOND SEASON
Podcasts will be available monthly throughout 2007-08 season
Visit podcasts.philorch.org or subscribe on iTunes

October 9, 2007
MARIAN ANDERSON AWARD ANNOUNCES GALA PROGRAM
Stars of Film, Classical, Popular Music and Jazz To Gather on November 12.

October 8, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF 2008 GREENFIELD STUDENT COMPETITION
Student Competition applications due November 16, 2007
Preliminary auditions held January 11, 18, 22, and 28; final auditions in Verizon Hall on February 1, 2008

October 4, 2007
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

September 28, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA AWARD PRESENTED TO JOSEPH M. AND MARIE H. FIELD AT 2007 OPENING NIGHT CONCERT

September 23, 2007
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 151ST ANNIVERSAY OF ACADEMY OF MUSIC WITH CONCERT AND BALL
Music Director Christoph Eschenbach leads The Philadelphia Orchestra in a program ranging from classical to pop to avant garde, celebrating the kickoff of “the next 150 years” of the National Historic Landmark
Singer/Songwriter/Composer Billy Joel makes a special guest appearance in his debut performance with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Rising talents Dísella Làrusdóttir, soprano, and Conrad Tao, piano, to be featured
Blue Man Group brings creative flair in symphonic appearance
MSNBC’s Chris Matthews hosts
Orchestra gives world premiere of an original classical composition by Mr. Joel  
Anniversary Ball follows at the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue

September 20, 2007
PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA'S OPENING ACCESS CONCERT EXPLORES A MODERN MASTERPIECE, THE RITE OF SPRING
Later Access Concerts feature Haydn’s “Military” Symphony,
Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story,
and Musorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition

September 18, 2007
MUSICIANS OF THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA RATIFY NEW CONTRACT

September 10, 2007
THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA WELCOMES SEVEN MUSICIANS TO ITS ROSTER
New appointments are José Maria Blumenschein, associate concertmaster;
Dara Morales, assistant principal second violin; Marc Rovetti, violin; Kirsten Johnson, associate principal viola; Kerri Ryan, assistant principal viola;
and Marvin Moon, viola
Jeffrey Lang, formerly acting associate principal horn, appointed associate principal horn/horn