The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s Next Chapter

Nov. 30, 2014

Celebrating 12 years producing live orchestra performances for the Petoskey community, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra continues to grow with the recent addition of Anne McDevitt as the organization’s executive director and the appointment of Dr. Libor Ondras, originally from Slovakia, as the new music director and conductor.

With the orchestra’s much-anticipated annual performance of Handel’s "Messiah" just around the corner, it’s an exciting time for the organization, and we asked Ondras and McDevitt to tell us more.

Express: Let’s start with Libor. I understand you’re new to the orchestra. Congratulations on your new position! You’re obviously already quite busy with your work as music director of the Kent Philharmonic Orchestra in Grand Rapids and as an assistant professor at Grand Rapids Community College. Would you please tell us how you became interested in working with the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra?

Dr. Libor Ondras: I am fairly new to Michigan; our family moved here three years ago. My second season into directing the Kent Philharmonic, one of the members shared some information about the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra with me. When I learned the orchestra was searching for a music director, I submitted my portfolio for consideration. An audition date was set; I was to conduct, as well as solo with the orchestra in a program featuring music by Mozart, Dvorak and Janacek. It was a great experience that shaped my vision for the potential of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. I felt honored and excited to have been selected the new music director from such a distinguished pool of candidates.

Express: And Anne, I understand that you grew up spending summers in Bay View, but you’re also fairly new to the orchestra. What drew you to the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra?

Anne McDevitt: About 12 years ago, I decided to live up here year round and quickly became interested in all of the cultural activities. I was a frequent patron of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and was asked to join the board of trustees. My love for the orchestra never waned and I knew that if the executive director job ever became available, I would go for it. I started in late June and have enjoyed seeing the orchestra from a different angle now, as staff.

Express: Anne, what do you feel that Libor especially brings to the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra?

McDevitt: Libor brings with him lots of energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and, also, a keen sense of musicianship. He is easy to work with, has great ideas, and is dedicated to the vision of this orchestra.

Express: Libor, in turn, what do you find particularly special about the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra?

Ondras: You have to always start with a quality product and the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra has had very fine artistic leadership. They have assembled a talented group of musicians that perform world-class music at a consistently high level and the Chamber Orchestra has become an essential part of the cultural life in the region. That is one strong foundation that we, myself included, would like to build the future of this orchestra on. The sky is the limit!

Express: And Anne, what qualities do you think help the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra stand out?

McDevitt: There is a steadfastness with this group of musicians like I have seen nowhere else; they are dedicated almost like their lives depended on the success of this orchestra, and the performances rival any orchestra near or far. I have been asked repeatedly by patrons, "˜Where do these musicians come from?’ and I say, "˜They live and work here, and are local musicians.’ So, we are certainly living up to our tagline of "˜World Class Music–Right Here at Home!’

Express: Also for Anne–do you think the classical music scene in northern Michigan is thriving?

McDevitt: I absolutely think it is. I live in Bay View during the summer and attend Bay View’s Sunday evening vesper concerts and Wednesday evening festival concerts. They’re both classical offerings and they’re usually in a packed auditorium. The Great Lake Chamber Orchestra offers a Sunday Series that draws crowds of nearly 250 patrons, even in the winter months. I would call that thriving!

Express: And Libor, what’s your take on the classical scene here?

Ondras: I am excited to see such member support of the orchestra in the community. It shows that the community is proud to have an ensemble of this quality and scope in its midst, and recognizes its role in enriching the quality of life. From the handful of concerts I’ve conducted here, I can ascertain that our audience members are seasoned music aficionados, expecting the best from our players.

Express: Libor, how would you like to see the orchestra improve or diversify under your conductorship?

Ondras: We are working toward establishing a subscription series that will diversify our concert program offerings. I am also developing artistic partnerships that will enable our audiences to experience stage works of ballet and opera in the near future. Another important goal of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra is to partner with schools to develop educational opportunities for students. And with the growing base of member support, we are planning to double our concert performance offerings in the near future.

Express: Of course, one of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s most popular performance offerings is the upcoming annual holiday performance of Handel’s "˜Messiah,’ which is a tradition for many people in Emmet County and beyond. Anne, would you please tell us about that?

McDevitt: This year’s Christmas concert is slightly different than in previous years! We have named this concert "˜Christmas Messiah Plus.’ The orchestra and orchestra chorus will perform the Christmas selections from Handel’s "˜Messiah,’ but will start off the program with two pieces new to us: Vivaldi’s "˜Gloria,’ and Corelli’s "˜Concerto Grosso.’ I am looking forward to hearing the performance once again at St. Francis Xavier Church.

Express: And Libor, since this will be your first performance as music director of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, what are you most looking forward to about the holiday concert?

Ondras: The December concert is about keeping traditions; Handel’s "˜Messiah’ has been an audience favorite worldwide ever since its first performance in April of 1742. I am looking forward to the very spirited atmosphere that the venue, performers and audiences create every season!

The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra will perform "˜Christmas Messiah Plus’ on Thursday, Dec. 18 and Friday, Dec. 19 at the St.

Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Petoskey. Reserved tickets are $75, $50 or $35 and general admission tickets are $20. Tickets can be purchased through the orchestra office by calling 231-487-0010 or by visiting www.glcorchestra.org.