Artistic Highlights

Music Director Scott Speck shares his thoughts about 2021-2022’s most memorable moments:

RANDALL GOOSBY

NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES WITH SHAYNA STEELE

We knew from advance reviews and YouTube clips that Shayna Steele would be an exceptional performer. But nothing could have prepared us for the impact of her live stage presence!

BEETHOVEN & BLUE JEANS WITH VIOLINIST RANDALL GOOSBY

This all-Beethoven concert gave us a chance to feature the exquisite violinist Randall Goosby in a breathtaking performance of the Beethoven concerto. Over the ensuing weekend, the ebullient young artist also turned in a beautiful program at The Block; and thrilled members of WMS’s Premier Strings by unexpectedly sitting in with them during their performance at the Symphony Gala.

SHAYNA STEELE

SUJARI BRITT

WMS AROUND THE WORLD

This was the only concert of the season that did not have a guest artist. How wonderful it was to hear from audience members, seasoned listeners and newcomers alike, that it was one of their favorite performances of the year!

ARTURO ZIRALDO FINALLY SUJARI

In March 2020—just before the dress rehearsal for the originally scheduled performance—the state issued its original moratorium on indoor public gatherings. Two years and two months to the day later, the concert finally took place. To welcome cellist Sujari Britt back—for both the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto and her longawaited solo performance at The Block—was indeed to “arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

FANTASTIQUE FINALE WITH ARTURO ZIRALDO

This concert was a thrill ride from beginning to end. It was a joy to feature Arturo Ziraldo, our principal violist, in the rarely heard Arnold Bax Phantasy. And the pull-out-all-the-stops finale of the Symphonie Fantastique was an unforgettable ending to the season.