New England Philharmonic

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The New England Philharmonic is a volunteer symphony orchestra focused on the performance and foster

The Mission of the New England Philharmonic, a volunteer orchestra, is to foster the composition and the appreciation of contemporary classical music by performing commissions and recent works alongside traditional repertoire in concerts that engage and electrify audiences.

10/14/2026

Whose histories do we hear? Whose voices are missing?

In this reel, NEP Music Director Tianhui Ng introduces Incident at Wounded Knee by Louis W. Ballard (Cherokee-Quapaw), a composer whose work brought Indigenous perspectives into orchestral music.

Inspired by the 1890 massacre of Lakota people at Wounded Knee and the events there in 1973, Ballard’s work confronts a difficult chapter in American history.

As part of our 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging, our opening concert invites us to listen more deeply to the histories, voices, and experiences that shape our understanding of New England and the wider American story.

Foundations & Fault Lines: New England Histories
Saturday, October 24 · 7 PM
Tsai Performance Center

🎟️ Pay-as-you-wish admission
🔗 nephilharmonic.org/concerts

Join us for an evening of music that challenges us to listen, reflect, and reconsider the stories we inherit.

10/12/2026

Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples, whose histories, cultures, creativity, and living traditions are essential to the story of this country.

Composer Louis W. Ballard (Cherokee-Quapaw) brought Indigenous perspectives into the orchestral world through works that engage with Native history and experience.

His Incident at Wounded Knee draws inspiration from the 1890 massacre of Lakota people at Wounded Knee, South Dakota, as well as events at Wounded Knee in 1973. It asks us to encounter a history that cannot be understood through a single narrative.

As the New England Philharmonic celebrates its 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging, we are reflecting on the music we perform, the histories we remember, and the voices we must continue to hear.

We honor Indigenous peoples not only through remembrance, but by recognizing the continuing presence, creativity, and contributions of Indigenous communities today.

Library of Congress’s guide to the Wounded Knee Massacre: https://guides.loc.gov/chronicling-america-wounded-knee-massacre

10/11/2026

🎻 Meet the soloist: Danielle Maddon

On October 24, NEP Concertmaster Danielle Maddon will perform Joan Tower’s Violin Concerto as part of our 50th Anniversary season opening concert, Foundations & Fault Lines: New England Histories.

Tower composed the concerto in 1991 and describes it as “really a fantasy for violin and orchestra.” The approximately 18-minute, one-movement work moves through contrasting musical worlds — from a robust Romantic tune for orchestra to sharply etched rhythmic passages and finally a very soft passage that descends from the highest reaches of the violin.

The concerto also includes two violin duets for soloist and concertmaster, written as a tribute to Elmar Oliveira’s brother, who was also a violinist.

We’re particularly excited to hear this work with Dani, who has served as NEP’s concertmaster since 2000.

Dani’s story is also the first installment of our 50 Stories for 50 Years series. Read her story on our website.

Foundations & Fault Lines: New England Histories
Saturday, October 24 · 7 PM
Tsai Performance Center
🎟️ Pay-what-you-can admission/nephilharmonic.org/concerts

10/05/2026

Our 50th Anniversary season is underway! 🎶

A little taste from our first rehearsal: Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, coming up on our October 24 concert, Foundations & Fault Lines: New England Histories.

This is just the beginning — over the next few weeks, we'll be introducing you to the music, composers, and musicians who will make this opening concert part of our 50th Anniversary season.

October 24 · 7 PM · Tsai Performance Center

Pay-as-you-can admission.

09/08/2026

NEW AUDITION OPENING: PRINCIPAL TROMBONE! 🎺

If you’ve been thinking about joining the New England Philharmonic, auditions are coming up Sunday, September 13 — and we’ve just added an opening for Principal Trombone.

We’re also looking for musicians in all string sections, horn, and substitute players for winds, brass, and percussion.

Join us for our 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging.

Find audition information at nephilharmonic.org.

09/05/2026

NEP was at Boston University’s Fall Arts Fair yesterday! 🎶 We loved meeting students, sharing our 50th Anniversary season, and connecting with musicians who might become part of the next chapter of the orchestra.

Interested in playing with NEP? Auditions are coming up Sunday, September 13. We’re looking for musicians in all string sections, horn, trombone, and substitute players for winds, brass, and percussion.

Join us for our 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging.

Find audition information at nephilharmonic.org.

08/28/2026

50 Stories for 50 Years | Story #1: Danielle Maddon

For 26 years, Danielle Maddon has helped lead the New England Philharmonic from the concertmaster's chair.

But her NEP story began with an audition—and a very challenging piece of music.

After studying violin performance at Boston University and learning the ropes of concertmaster leadership at Tanglewood and the LA Philharmonic, Dani auditioned for NEP with Witold Lutosławski's Chain 2, Dialogue for Violin and Orchestra. Richard Pittman, then NEP's Music Director, knew Danielle's playing from Tanglewood and other Boston performances and invited her to try out.

She got the job.

Since then, Dani has performed 26 violin concertos with NEP, founded the NEP Chamber Players, collaborated with composers and guest artists, and helped lead the orchestra through the transition from Richard Pittman to Music Director Tianhui Ng.

For Dani, NEP's commitment to adventurous music has provided an ongoing opportunity to learn, grow, and take on new challenges.

And after all these years?

"The NEP feels like home to me."

We're beginning our 50 Stories for 50 Years series with Danielle because an orchestra's history isn't just about the concerts it has performed. It's about the people who have spent years making those concerts possible.

Read Danielle's full story: https://nephilharmonic.org/news/50-stories-for-50-years-danielle-maddon

08/25/2026

🎶 Calling musicians! Auditions are coming up this Sunday.

The New England Philharmonic is looking for musicians to join us for our 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging.

We're currently seeking:

• All string sections — violin, viola, cello & bass
• Horn
• Substitute musicians for winds, brass & percussion

Audition dates:
📅 Sunday, August 30
📅 Sunday, September 13

This season is an especially exciting one to join NEP, with adventurous repertoire, Indigenous voices, collaborations with guest artists and community partners, and five world premieres.

If you're a musician looking for an orchestra that values both musical excellence and a strong community spirit, we'd love to hear from you.

Full audition information and registration: nephilharmonic.org

And please share this with musician friends who might be interested!

08/21/2026

Musicians of Greater Boston—we'd love to see you this Sunday!

Before we launch our 50th Anniversary season, members of the New England Philharmonic are getting together for an informal evening at Gráinne O'Malley's on Sunday, August 23, from 7–9 PM.

Come meet NEP musicians, connect with other musicians in the area, and find out more about the orchestra. If you've been thinking about auditioning for NEP—or if you simply want to meet some fellow musicians and enjoy a relaxed evening out—you're very welcome!

Appetizers are on NEP; drinks are on your own.

📅 Sunday, August 23
⏰ 7–9 PM
📍 Gráinne O'Malley's, 201 Harvard St., Brookline

We're excited to kick off our 50th Anniversary year, and we think the best way to celebrate is with the people who make music happen. Come raise a glass with us!

Please feel free to share this with musician friends who might be interested.

08/19/2026

🎶 We're getting ready to celebrate 50 years of the New England Philharmonic!

This fall, NEP begins its 50th Anniversary season, Stories of Land, Memory, and Belonging.

For five decades, musicians, composers, conductors, volunteers, audiences, and supporters have helped build an orchestra with a distinctive mission: to bring adventurous orchestral music and the work of living composers to our community.

As we look back at where we've been—and forward to where we're going—we'll be celebrating the people who have made NEP's story possible.

Over the coming months, we'll share 50 Stories for 50 Years, featuring some of the many people who have been part of this remarkable journey.

Our first story is coming soon. We can't wait to introduce you to the people behind the music.

Address

PO Box 231168
Boston, MA
02123

Telephone

855-463-7445

Website

http://www.nephilharmonic.org/

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