More than 70 of the best professionals musicians across the State of Michigan join together to provide the Great Lakes Bay Region with symphonic music featuring renowned guest artists, family programs and special events since 1936.
Past guest performers include Itzhak Perlman, Sarah Chang, Dave Brubeck, Sharon Isbin, Edgar Meyer, Measha Brueggergosman, Time for Three, the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, and many more who have contributed to the unique and challenging repertoire which defines the MSO.
Music Director
Czech conductor and Music Director Bohuslav Rattay continues to bring a new style and flare to the podium, taking your classical music experience outside of the box. An enthusiastic promoter for classical music, Mr. Rattay strives to bring traditional and innovative programs together in a manner that’s exciting and fresh for his audience.
Bohuslav divides his time between the United States and Europe, always continuing his quest to find new ways to bring great music into the lives of people on both continents.
DIRECTOR OF CHORAL & ORCHESTRAL PROGRAMS
A native of Bay City, Michigan, Matt completed a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance at the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Choral Conducting at Penn State University. While attending Penn State, he served as assistant conductor to the Penn State Men’s Glee Club, conducting performances at various division conferences and in domestic and international tours. During his time in central Pennsylvania, Matt was music director of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County, from 2006 to 2010.
Following his years at Penn State, Matt was the Music Director at Trinity-Pawling School in Pawling, N.Y. from 2010-2014. Matt recently completed his doctorate in choral conducting at The University of Connecticut where he founded and directed the UCONN Men’s Glee Club and taught undergraduate courses in conducting and general music. In addition to his work at UConn, Matt served as Music Director of the Kent Singers and as Male Choirs Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Connecticut chapter of The American Choral Director’s Association. Matt is founder and Artistic Director of The Mid-Michigan Singers and Mid-Michigan Voice Academy.
Meet the Musicians
Takeshi Abo**, Concertmaster
The Thomas and Vera Griswold Chair
Karel Abo*, Assoc. Concertmaster
The Gladys I. Lake Chair
Heather DeGroot**, Principal II
Sponsored by Sarah Dergazarian
Oleg Bezuglov, Asst. Principal II
Samvel Arakelyan
Melissa Everett*
Kayla Green+
Andrew Hatfield
Elaine Hunyadi**
Sinyoung Kim
Alejandro Larumbe
Erin Lawson
Susan Mercy
Andrea Rohr
Linda Ryden***
Amelia Taylor
Kyle Venlet
Yu Wang
Hsin-Ju Yu
Tatiana Zueva
Christine Beamer, Principal
Sponsored by Ken & Gina Pederson
Jessica Zelinski*, Acting Asst. Principal
Dilek Engin
Howard Jones
Ryan McDonald
Valentina Shmyreva
Cathy White***, Principal
The Phoebe Barstow Chair
James Fiste*, Asst. Principal
The Phoebe Barstow Chair
Mary Adams**
Brian Dempsey**
Jinhyun Kim
Yuliya Kim
Sara Moore
Greg Stawick*
Margaret Hasspacher, Acting Principal
The Ruth D. Stenger Chair
David Angelotti**, Asst. Principal
Susan McRae***
William Poulos
Joy Rowland
Roland Wallace***
Sponsored by Pat and John Zimmerman
Joanna Cowan White*, Principal
Kassia Martin
Cathy Webster**
Roger Rehm*, Principal
The Vernon A. Stenger Chair
Sarah Southard
Liz Spector-Callahan
Sam Martin, Principal
Grant Von Wald**
Genevieve Beaulieu, Principal
Jennifer Dean*
Cynthia Duda
Kurt Civilette, Principal
The Robert T. Ralston Chair
Robin Von Wald**
Michael Wright
Jahn White
Claire Ross
Matthew Thomas, Principal
Sponsored by Nina & David Frurip
Jeffrey Lewandowski
James Young*
Andrew Mitchell, Principal
Sponsored by John & Amy Wilson on behalf of Abigail Wilson
Joseph Radtke*
Bryan Pokorney*
Mark Cox*, Principal
Sponsored by Sarah & Daniel Opperman
Rob Kratz, Principal
Andrew Spencer, Principal
The Tina and Philip Van Dam Chair
Kramer Milan
Chris Peeler*
Mary Jo Cox*
*10-19 Service Years
**20-29 Service Years
***30+ Service Years
+MSO/CMU Undergraduate Fellow