Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Recognizes Barry Ross with Emeritus Title

    KALAMAZOO, MI, January 16, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and management is pleased to announce the designation of Concertmaster Emeritus for Dr. Barry Ross in recognition of his long years of service and artistry with the KSO.

Dr. Barry Ross is the former Assistant Conductor of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Professor of Music Emeritus at Kalamazoo College, where he founded the Kalamazoo College and Community Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, now the Kalamazoo Philharmonia. For 32 years he performed as Concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Symphony and in 1987 was appointed Assistant Conductor of that orchestra. During his 40 years in Michigan he has appeared as conductor, concertmaster and concert violinist throughout the country.

Dr. Ross stated, "I have always had a love for making beautiful music on the violin. When in high school I was appointed concertmaster of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony I discovered the thrill of leading the string section of a symphony orchestra. Performing, leading and teaching music became my passion. How fortunate I have been that the Kalamazoo Symphony gave me the perfect opportunity to explore and perform great masterpieces of music month after month for almost 35 years."

Dr. Ross established the Kalamazoo Symphony Chamber Orchestra Sunday Classics Series at Kalamazoo College and was a frequent conductor and soloist with that ensemble. In 1990, he founded the Kalamazoo Symphony's Family Discovery Concerts for young audiences, and conducted the KSO Youth Concerts for more than 14,000 students annually. In 2006, he formed the String Orchestra of Kalamazoo for young musicians, a Suzuki-trained string orchestra and in 2008 he founded BeethovenFest!, an annual fund-raising orchestral concert that benefitted the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony.

Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra stated, "It is with great excitement that we bestow this designation as a recognition of the many years of service and artistry that Barry has shared with our community. It's a way for us to extend our deepest gratitude for the great work he's done over the last 35 years and to celebrate the many accomplishments during his illustrious career."

In his retirement, Dr. Ross concentrates on violin performance in classical music and jazz, as well as fundraising in support of music education. He currently serves on the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and actively volunteers as a member of the Development Committee focusing on planned giving for the KSO.

Dr. Ross shared, "It is indeed a great honor to be named Concertmaster Emeritus. I am deeply grateful. I look forward to continuing my enthusiastic involvement with KSO as a board member, audience enthusiast, and champion cheerleader for the KSO. The KSO musicians, President/CEO Peter Gistelinck and the staff are incredibly dedicated to making the symphony part of everyone's life from pre-school through adulthood, and I look forward to playing a part in this vision."

Dr. Barry Ross, Concertmaster Emeritus
Dr. Barry Ross is the former Assistant Conductor of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Professor of Music Emeritus at Kalamazoo College, where he founded the Kalamazoo College and Community Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, now the Kalamazoo Philharmonia. For 32 years he performed as Concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Symphony and in 1987 was appointed Assistant Conductor of that orchestra. During his 40 years in Michigan he has appeared as conductor, concertmaster and concert violinist throughout the country.

Dr. Ross established the Kalamazoo Symphony Chamber Orchestra Sunday Classics Series at Kalamazoo College and was a frequent conductor and soloist with that ensemble. In 1990 he founded the Kalamazoo Symphony's Family Discovery Concerts for young audiences, and conducted the KSO Youth Concerts for more than 14,000 students annually. Dr. Ross served as Music Director of the Wheaton (Illinois) Symphony, Concertmaster of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster of the Southwest Florida Symphony, and has guest conducted numerous orchestras in the Midwest. In 2006 he formed the String Orchestra of Kalamazoo for young musicians, a Suzuki-trained string orchestra and in 2008 he founded BeethovenFest!, an annual fund-raising orchestral concert that benefitted the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony.

A native of Massachusetts, Dr. Ross graduated magna cum laude from the Hartt School of Music and holds a Master's and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Yale University School of Music, where he served as Concertmaster of the Yale Collegium Musicum. He later became the founding violinist with the Fontana Ensemble in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Dr. Ross was honored by the Arts Council and City of Kalamazoo as the first recipient of its Community Medal of Arts Award. He received the Lucasse Award for excellence in creative achievement at Kalamazoo College. A frequent speaker on music and music making, he has addressed the American Symphony Orchestra League and the Conductor's Guild National Conference. His critically acclaimed book, A Violinist's Guide for Exquisite Intonation, published by the American String Teachers Association, has been expanded to include viola. In his retirement Dr. Ross concentrates on violin performance in classical music and jazz, as well as fundraising in support of music education.

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, time and program are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year. The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artist-in-Residence program.

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