About the Meridian Symphony Orchestra

HISTORY

The Meridian Symphony Orchestra (MSO) began in March 1990, under the direction of Anna Gray, as a string ensemble of 25 members drawn from all walks of life. The MSO assisted with the development of Meridian School District orchestra programs, which provided lessons and training orchestras for elementary and junior high school students. In 1995, the Meridian School District initiated a school orchestra curriculum.

In 1995, Richard Roller assumed the artistic leadership of the organization and established the current four-concert season. Under his leadership, the orchestra grew to over seventy members, ages ranging from 15 to 86.

Current Artistic Director, Tom Phelps, joined the MSO in 2003. In addition to having taught music in public schools for many years, Tom is an accomplished musician and conductor.

The MSO is dedicated to providing quality entertainment in a family-friendly, educationally focused atmosphere, providing a supportive environment for our musicians and increasing the arts in the Meridian area for the education and enjoyment of all ages. Since its founding, we have held to Anna Gray's belief that "We can become a great influence for good in the lives of all who live here."

CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Tom Phelps

An Idaho native, Tom Phelps is a graduate of Idaho State University with bachelor's and master's degrees in music. He holds a Ph.D in music from the University of Utah. An accomplished performer, conductor and teacher of music in the public schools for many years, Tom has performed locally with the Treasure Valley Concert Band, the Kings of Swing, Opera Idaho, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and has played clarinet, flute and occasionally saxophone with the Meridian Symphony Orchestra.

ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR
Bob Ballanti

Robert Ballanti is a graduate of UCLA in Music Theory and Performance, and served two years as rehearsal conductor of the University Symphony under Mehli Mehta. He was a member of the San Diego Symphony, and has performed with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony and the Los Angeles Bach Festival. Since moving to Boise in 1989, Bob has performed with concert groups throughout Idaho, and was a founding member of the Boise Baroque Orchestra. He is married to oboist Gail Vaughan, and is enjoying retirement after over 33 years with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

CONCERTMASTER
Jenny Jones

A Northwest native, Jenny grew up in Pasco, Washington. She has a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in performance from La Sierra University in Riverside, California and completed her Masters of Music degree in Violin Pedagogy in May of 2009 at Boise State University. She was Concertmaster of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra from 2005 to 2007, and has rejoined the group after taking two years off to pursue her degree. In the 2008-2009 season, she performed twice with the group playing The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughn Williams and the third movement of the Dvorak Violin Concerto in A minor. In May 2009, she performed with the Boise State University Orchestra playing the first movement of the Brahms Violin Concerto in D major. Jenny is also the principal second violinist of the Boise Baroque Orchestra. She is an active teacher of both the Suzuki approach and more traditional methods. She and her husband have two children.

ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER
Melody Mitchell

Growing up in a musical family, Melody Mitchell has played the violin since age 5. In high school, she studied with Lee Wilkins of the D'Angelo School of Music in Erie, PA. Melody attended Boise State University where she earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration in Accountancy with a minor in Music. She studied with Professor Craig Purdy and played in the Boise State Community Orchestra. After working as a CPA for 3 years she has "retired" and is currently a stay at home mom.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee

David Stolhand, President
Lee Roby, Vice President of Operations
Teri Sackman, Vice President of Marketing
Richard Bowring, Secretary
Steve Van der Ploeg, Treasurer
Tom Phelps, Artistic Director

Directors

Michelle Clark
Tammy Fritz
Jenny Jones
Bob Newell
Susan Russell
Becky Schrepple
Steve Sherer
Ken Suchy
Wendell Welch
Dave Wynkoop

Volunteers

Shelly Hiner, Concert Promotion
Lorie Scherer, Historian

Contact Us for information on becoming involved in the MSO.