What is a symphony orchestra? An orchestra is not just the particular configuration you see on stage at a concert, it is the sum of the sounds it can make: it is a symphonia, a “sounding-together” of people and their instruments. Therefore, to maintain the highest quality of musical expression, an orchestra needs to update its instrumental resources regularly.

This is why we are all so excited that, thanks to the incredible generosity of Tim and Lyn Edward, Catherine and Fred Gerardson, Pauline and David Lawton, the Joe White Bequest and other wonderful Instrument Fund donors, we have recently been able to purchase a set of 4 timpani, 2 xylophones, a glockenspiel, vibraphone and glistening set of tubular bells. A set of transformative gifts completely renewing the sonic resources of our percussion section!

The new xylophone will feature strongly at the MSO’s An Evening of Fairy Tales in the Prokofiev ballet suite Cinderella (listen for the ticking clock!). While the new glockenspiel and bells will be featured in our concerts of Ravel’s famous orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

We’re deeply grateful to Pauline and David Lawton, whose generous gift also enabled us to purchase a beautiful new hand-made concert harp from Lyon & Healy in Chicago. An incredibly intricate gold-clad instrument that will dazzle on stage. The only one of its kind in the country, we are all eager to see it cast a magical spell over the MSO stage very soon.