Tag Archives: Chamber Orchestra

Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra to Lead Historic U.S. Premiere of Joaquín Rodrigo’s ‘La azucena de Quito’

Orlando Cela connects two major Rodrigo works across Arlington and Lowell performances

LOWELL and ARLINGTON, Mass., April 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra proudly announces that its Music Director, Orlando Cela, will conduct the United States premiere of “La azucena de Quito,” a rarely performed oratorio by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, with the Philharmonic Society of Arlington in May.

Image caption: Orlando Cela conducting, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Noya Photo.

This landmark performance marks a significant moment not only for the Arlington Philharmonic community, but also for audiences across the Greater Boston area, who will have a rare opportunity to experience one of Rodrigo’s most expansive and spiritually rich works for chorus and orchestra.

Composed in 1967, “La azucena de Quito” tells the story of Saint Mariana de Jesús of Quito – known as the “Lily of Quito” – through Rodrigo’s distinctive musical voice, blending luminous orchestral color with reverent choral writing. Despite Rodrigo’s global fame for works such as the “Concierto de Aranjuez,” this oratorio has seldom been heard, making its U.S. premiere a major cultural event.

“This is a deeply moving and profoundly human work,” said Cela. “To bring ‘La azucena de Quito’ to American audiences for the first time is both an artistic responsibility and an extraordinary privilege. Rodrigo’s music speaks with a sincerity and spiritual depth that feels especially meaningful today.”

In a compelling artistic pairing, Cela is also leading the Lowell Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Rodrigo’s beloved “Fantasía para un gentilhombre” – one of the composer’s most celebrated works for guitar and orchestra – on April 26th. The piece, inspired by Spanish Baroque dances, showcases Rodrigo’s gift for lyricism and color, offering a vibrant counterpoint to the introspective grandeur of “La azucena de Quito.”

“Programming both of these works in close proximity allows audiences to experience the full spectrum of Rodrigo’s artistry,” Cela added. “From the intimate elegance of the ‘Fantasía’ to the monumental scope of ‘La azucena,’ it’s a journey through the soul of one of Spain’s most important composers.”

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra, known for its commitment to accessibility and community engagement, continues to present high-caliber performances with free admission, ensuring that transformative musical experiences remain open to all.

Together, these performances underscore Cela’s ongoing dedication to bringing both beloved masterworks and overlooked treasures to life—bridging communities in Lowell and Arlington through shared artistic vision.

EVENT DETAILS:
U.S. Premiere of “La azucena de Quito”
Philharmonic Society of Arlington
Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 4 p.m.

First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 630 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

For more information, visit:
https://psarlington.org/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/gozbir3V-HM

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra

This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Commission of New Work by Composer Ryan Suleiman

LOWELL, Mass., Sept. 25, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has announced a new commission from composer Ryan Suleiman, marking another bold step in the ensemble’s mission to champion living artists while keeping classical music accessible to all.

Image caption: Ryan Suleiman (courtesy of the composer).

Since its founding in 2019, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra has stood out in New England’s arts scene by offering free admission to all concerts. The nonprofit ensemble believes cost should never be a barrier to experiencing world-class performances, and its commitment to community has extended beyond the stage through educational outreach, partnerships with local schools, and performances that highlight underrepresented voices.

Suleiman, whose works are known for their lyrical writing and humanistic themes, has earned national recognition for music that explores connections between people and the natural world. His new piece for the LCO will debut in the orchestra’s upcoming season.

“Commissioning Ryan Suleiman represents an important step in the Lowell Chamber Orchestra’s mission: to make meaningful contributions to today’s musical landscape while ensuring our community has access to the highest quality performances,” said Orlando Cela, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. “This commission not only brings new music to life but also strengthens the bond between art and community.”

The new work will premiere during LCO’s eighth season, with details to be announced soon. Audiences can look forward to experiencing Suleiman’s distinctive voice in a performance that underscores the orchestra’s belief that music is both an artistic and a civic endeavor.

ABOUT THE LOWELL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is a non-profit organization based in Lowell, Massachusetts, dedicated to presenting free, professional orchestral performances to the public. Through innovative programming, educational outreach, and community partnerships, LCO provides access to world-class music while promoting cultural engagement and equity in the arts. Learn more at: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/.

ABOUT RYAN SULEIMAN

Ryan Suleiman is a composer whose music has been described as lyrical, sensitive, and deeply human. His work often draws inspiration from nature, literature, and contemporary society, creating vivid sound worlds that resonate with audiences. His one-act chamber opera, Moon, Bride, Dogs, was described by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a gem” with “an aesthetic that is at once so strange and so accessible.” Ryan completed his Ph.D. at University of California, Davis and his Bachelor of Music at the Sacramento State School of Music.

He is currently an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music and has held teaching positions at the Sacramento State and UC Davis. Ryan currently resides in Boston with his partner and three furry animals, where he teaches composition privately and hosts a podcast called “Reflections on Music and Nature.” Read more at https://www.ryansuleiman.com/.

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/KNaQmrva6wk

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Antonio Mak
Lowell Chamber Orchestra
EMAIL: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org
PHONE: 617-319-5982

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra announces winner of its International Call-for-Scores

LOWELL, Mass., March 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is pleased to introduce Helder Alves de Oliveira the winner of its 2025 International Call-for-Scores. His score “Resiliens” was chosen following a completely anonymous process of evaluating 138 entries from all over the world based on merits of originality, orchestration, structure, and other compositional techniques. His work will be performed during LCO’s 2025-2026 season, and Mr. Oliveira will receive a monetary prize.

Image caption: Helder Alves de Oliveira. Photo courtesy of Helder Oliveira.

Mr. Oliveira is a Brazilian composer, pianist and music educator, holds a PhD in Music Composition from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He was a 2019–20 Fulbright Visiting Researcher at LSU, and has received several composition awards in Brazil, USA, Germany, Portugal, Canada, Ireland and Denmark.

“Congratulations to Helder, and everyone who participated,” says LCO’s Music Director Orlando Cela. “We are very pleased with the result and look forward to performing this fabulous work next season.” Cela continues, “We are particularly glad with the completely anonymous process and rotating judges, which allows for absolute fairness. […] This is our way to have a process in which there is complete equality fostering diversity by including composers of all ages, genders, and races. Despite the current federal administration’s racists views, we still believe DEI is a fundamental part of every arts organization.”

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell’s first and only professional orchestra. We provide the area with an ensemble that presents music at a very high level, of all styles and time periods, entirely free to the general population. Now in its sixth season, the LCO has presented concerts that encompass established orchestral repertoire as well as multimedia works, stage works, lecture-presentations, and chamber music. As part of its mission of promoting, preserving and educating, the repertoire include works from the Baroque, to current commissions.

The LCO has presented over a dozen local and world premieres by Anna Clyne, Brian Raphael Nabors, José Luis Elizondo, Anthony R. Green, Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Jeremy Gill, and many others.

One can read more about Mr. Oliveira and the competition by clicking the link below:

https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/2025-call-for-scores

https://www.youtube.com/@lowellchamberorchestra

RICHARD AND NANCY DONAHUE FAMILY ACADEMIC ARTS CENTER, 240 CENTRAL STREET, LOWELL, MA 01851

MEDIA CONTACT:
Antonio Mak
admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org
https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra

To view the original story, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/lowell-chamber-orchestra-announces-winner-of-its-international-call-for-scores/

Lowell Chamber Orchestra announces the winners of its Call-for-Scores and Concerto Competition

LOWELL, Mass. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Lowell Chamber Orchestra congratulates composers Cory Brodack and Martin Max Schreiner for winning the orchestra's 2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Call-for-Scores, and marimba player Wei-Hsing Nikki Huang, for winning the 2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition.

In this third edition of the call for scores, two composers tied for first place. Both winners agreed to split the monetary prize, as well as the free year of publishing through Universal Edition's scodo. The seven judge panel chose both winners after two rounds, the last round completely anonymous, from among 182 entries, written by professional composers, students, amateurs, and ranging in a wide variety of genres - opera scenes, sinfoniettas, concertos, and diverse combinations of chamber ensembles.

The second edition of the concerto competition was also comprised of two rounds. The first round, being virtual, was comprised of about 140 videos of an eclectic and varied mix of instruments. Twelve finalist were invited to participate, one coming from as far as Japan. Huang, who will be heard performing in the LCO concert of February 3rd, 2024, is a Taiwanese artist based in Toronto. The second prize winner was a 12-years-old violinist who impressed with his technical mastery.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra produces these competitions as part of their mission to promote the advancement of contemporary music, and give opportunities to young performers at the beginning of their performing careers. All of the LCO concerts are completely free and provide the Lowell greater area with a professional ensemble producing extremely high quality concerts without a socio-economic barrier.

Please consider donating to our end-of-season appeal by clicking here: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/endofseasonappeal

For more information about the winners, click on the links below:

2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Call-for-Scores: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/2023-call-for-scores

2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/2023-concerto-competition

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra congratulates composers Cory Brodack and Martin Max Schreiner for winning the orchestra's 2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Call-for-Scores, and marimba player Wei-Hsing Nikki Huang, for winning the 2023 Lowell Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition.

Related link: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/