Oregon Mozart Players
Encyclopedia
Oregon Mozart Players is a professional chamber orchestra based in Eugene
, Oregon
, United States. The orchestra presents five concert sets in a typical season, in addition to numerous small ensemble performances and recitals by guest artists. Orchestral repertoire ranges from the Baroque period to world premieres of 21st century works. Soloists with the group include internationally acclaimed artists as well as members of the orchestra.
, who wanted to play the wealth of music written for small orchestras and intimate venues and who recognized that they could do so and could bring this music to the Eugene-Springfield
community by forming their own orchestra. Today OMP is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts
, and many of its performances take place at the Hult Center.
At first, the organization functioned as a sort of musicians' cooperative
, but after a few years it established a non-profit organization
with a board of directors and modest staff. In keeping with the group's roots, the corporation bylaws specify that as many as six musicians, elected by the players, may sit on the board of directors, and the board's vice president must be a player.
The orchestra's conductors and music directors have included Robert Hurwitz, Apo Hsu, Andrew Massey
and Glen Cortese. A number of other distinguished musicians have served as guest conductors.
The Mozart Players encourage an appreciation of classical music among young people, as both listeners and performers. OMP musicians, including the conductor and guest artists, are also available to visit schools, meet with students, and share their enthusiasm for the music performed in concerts.
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States. The orchestra presents five concert sets in a typical season, in addition to numerous small ensemble performances and recitals by guest artists. Orchestral repertoire ranges from the Baroque period to world premieres of 21st century works. Soloists with the group include internationally acclaimed artists as well as members of the orchestra.
History
The organization was founded in 1983 in Eugene by a group of professional musicians, many from the University of OregonUniversity of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, who wanted to play the wealth of music written for small orchestras and intimate venues and who recognized that they could do so and could bring this music to the Eugene-Springfield
Springfield, Oregon
Springfield is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Located in the Southern Willamette Valley, it is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Separated from Eugene to the west, mainly by Interstate 5, Springfield is the second-most populous city in the metropolitan area...
community by forming their own orchestra. Today OMP is a resident company of the Hult Center for the Performing Arts
Hult Center for the Performing Arts
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts facility in Eugene, Oregon, that opened in 1982.It is located adjacent to the Eugene Hilton and the Eugene Community Conference Center, which were also completed in 1982, as part of the same urban renewal project.The Hult Center and the...
, and many of its performances take place at the Hult Center.
At first, the organization functioned as a sort of musicians' cooperative
Cooperative
A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit...
, but after a few years it established a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
with a board of directors and modest staff. In keeping with the group's roots, the corporation bylaws specify that as many as six musicians, elected by the players, may sit on the board of directors, and the board's vice president must be a player.
The orchestra's conductors and music directors have included Robert Hurwitz, Apo Hsu, Andrew Massey
Andrew Massey
Andrew Massey is an English conductor and composer who has been primarily active in the United States. From 1991-2002 he was principal conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. He had previously held the post of principal conductor with the Fresno Philharmonic, the New Orleans...
and Glen Cortese. A number of other distinguished musicians have served as guest conductors.
The Mozart Players encourage an appreciation of classical music among young people, as both listeners and performers. OMP musicians, including the conductor and guest artists, are also available to visit schools, meet with students, and share their enthusiasm for the music performed in concerts.