NWI Symphony, Muspratt celebrate shared anniversaries
The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra welcomed audiences to return to live in-person concerts in April, a reunion of audiences and musicians Kirk Muspratt describes as “just the beginning.”
Muspratt, the man behind the baton, is already preparing for rehearsals to herald the return of the full 70-member orchestra for the 2021-22 season, all hosted in the auditorium at Living Hope Church in Merrillville.
“We had some wonderful small indoor concerts last spring and our outdoor concerts throughout the summer, but after a year without our traditional season of programming with our subscribers, it’s a true celebration to have everyone together again reunited by music,” Muspratt said.
“We are very excited to have a new season which extends all the
way into June 2022.”
Announced in October, the NWI Symphony 2021-22 concerts comprise the organization’s milestone 80th season and mark Muspratt’s two-decade anniversary leading the orchestra.
“We are using the theme 80+20 Season of Anniversaries, since we have a performance parallel celebrating 80 years of our symphony and also 20 years with Maestro Muspratt,” said Tammie Miller, who has worked as an administrator for the organization for 16 years.
“We didn’t do any subscriptions last year as we navigated the pandemic, so audiences have been eager for us to unveil our concerts and dates for this special year.”
The season starts with three performances of the annual holiday pops concert in December with the addition of a special Dec. 7 Tuesday night concert to mark the organization’s debut.
“The Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra began in Gary on Dec. 7, 1941, as the nation was pulling together on that momentous day,” Muspratt said.
“It all started with a group of individuals and musicians, without hesitation or prompts, bursting into ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ played to a grieving audience, recovering from the day’s events. Now 80 years later, our symphony is happy to make a return to performing for its community.”
Though he was hired in 2000, Muspratt previously stood before with the Northwest Indiana Symphony. In 1997, he was the guest conductor for a season concert, starring violinist Rachel Barton Pine. A native of Alberta, Canada, previously in his career, he assisted orchestra directors in Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Utah.
“I always say I’m thankful to everyone for welcoming this Canadian musician into their lives,” Muspratt said. “I hope I have contributed something of beauty and joy for audiences.”
Following the beloved holiday pops concerts, Dec. 7, 9 and 10, the first spring date showcases pianist Wail Farouk returning to perform masterpieces by Rachmaninoff and Gershwin for two performances March 3 and 4, 2022, with a symphony gala dinner hosted prior to the March 4 concert.
Movie soundtracks and classical music used in favorite films are highlighted for the next two performances May 5 and 6. The season concludes with guest artists Aj Swearingen and Jayne Kelli performing “Iconic Hits of the ’70s,” with two performances June 16 and 17.
“Since we have a landmark season, we are asking our supporters of our symphony to join our 80+20 Anniversary Club with a donation of $100 per person, with those patrons listed all season long on the 80+20 Club Honor Roll,” Miller said.
“These donors will be invited to a special pre-concert party before the Dec. 7 holiday pops concert to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of that first performance.”