Heartfelt Tributes for Symphony Pro Musica
(Maestro Churchill's) deep experience, musicality, and endless dedication to the cause are inspiring. The orchestra plays music for all the right reasons: with curiosity, seriousness of purpose, and enthusiasm.
Mark Churchill and Symphony Pro Musica truly play for the love of music. Mark’s deep experience, musicality, and endless dedication to the cause are inspiring. The orchestra plays music for all the right reasons: with curiosity, seriousness of purpose, and enthusiasm
(Maestro Churchill's) thorough knowledge of the score, in both the new and old repertoire we performed, was incredibly impressive.
I had the pleasure of working with Maestro Churchill with Symphony Pro Musica where we performed Jessie Montgomery’s Divided for cello and strings and Tchaikovsky’s Pezzo Capriccioso. As a soloist, the stress and intensity of the role becomes downright enjoyable when the conductor is connected to your every whim—it felt as though Mark Churchill exemplified this connection while we worked together. His thorough knowledge of the score, in both the new and old repertoire we performed, was incredibly impressive. Symphony Pro Musica was very responsive to all of the conductor’s suggestions and welcomed changes even on the concert day. SPM felt like a true family and, as soloist, I felt like a welcome guest at their dinner table. Everyone was so easy to talk to during rehearsal breaks, and I met so many fascinating people. I am really looking forward to working together again with Mark Churchill and SPM in the near future!
The Beethoven (Violin Concerto) is a forever project, and I learned so much just by working on it together with SPM and (Maestro Churchill)
I was fortunate enough last season to have the opportunity to do my very first performance of the Beethoven Violin Concerto with the wonderful SPM and the ever-supportive Mark Churchill. For a young soloist, this is a breathtaking opportunity! I will never forget those two concerts, because the Beethoven concerto is a forever project, and I learned so much just by working on it together with SPM and Mark. Thank you for the invaluable experience and for all you do to support young artists!
At the heart of Symphony Pro Musica is Mark Churchill's artistry as conductor and director...(Churchill's dedication) is unwavering, resulting in a level of musical expressiveness that consistently surpasses the expectations of a community orchestra
At the heart of Symphony Pro Musica is Mark Churchill's artistry as a conductor and director.
One of Maestro Churchill’s gifts as a director is his ability to guide us in finding the essence of the music, helping us become enchanted with the sound world we are creating and inhabiting.
His dedication to honing phrasing and articulation is unwavering, resulting in a level of musical expressiveness that consistently surpasses the expectations of a community orchestra.
Through his leadership and deep understanding of the musical landscape, he inspires each player to contribute to their fullest, leaning into the musical moment we are striving to create. SPM stands out for our remarkable tradition of collaborating with incredibly gifted, musically mature young artists as part of their formative experiences soloing with orchestra. SPM players and audiences revel in a balance of stimulating contemporary compositions and an ever-deepening appreciation for cherished favorites. It's been an honor to serve as concertmaster in an orchestra so full of heart and spirit for over a decade.
To work with Mark Churchill is to watch a true master of his craft. His attention to every musical detail and nuance is unparalleled and his rapport with soloists attracts world class musicians.
In the medical profession, it is sometimes debated, “What’s more important, the heart or the brain?” Without the heart, no life exists, however life with only a pulsating heartbeat but no brain activity is dull and meaningless. Under the masterful direction of Maestro Mark Churchill, Symphony Pro Musica has both a strong rhythm and the lively multifaceted brains of 70+ musicians conjoined together to present evocative performances to enrich the lives of the community. For 40 years, Maestro Churchill has created compelling concerts designed to stimulate both musicians and audiences with adventurous programming and dazzling soloists. To work with Mark Churchill is to watch a true master of his craft. His attention to every musical detail and nuance is unparalleled and his rapport with soloists attracts world class musicians.
I’ve been playing the bassoon for more than 60 years and have played for at least as many different conductors. Mark Churchill is simply the best.
I’ve been playing the bassoon for more than 60 years and have played for at least as many different conductors. Mark Churchill is simply the best. I first joined SPM in 1989 and have been with the orchestra ever since. Mark’s manner of working with his musicians is very special. I’ve never known him to demean a player for playing something badly or making a mistake. He has infinite patience to try to get the very best out of each player. On the other hand, he wants the best players he can get and is very good at choosing players who not only play well but who have the appropriate attitude so that they will enjoy playing in the orchestra for a long time. Attracting talented players is a huge part of Mark’s responsibilities for the orchestra, and he takes it very seriously and does it well. His programming, too, is outstanding. He’s sensitive to the fine line between pleasing the audience and the orchestra all while staying within the practical parameters of instrumentation and playability. Mark has introduced me to many wonderful pieces that otherwise I might never have known. Above all, Mark is friendly and welcoming to new players. That makes a big difference to someone just joining us and has made SPM a wonderful community as well as a respected and loved orchestra.
