ArtsLab

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has received national and local accolades and prizes during the past few months. Dr. Beverly Everett, conductor, was recently awarded the American Prize as one of six outstanding conductors nationally — a citation based on excellence in music education. The Orchestra was also a finalist for the American Prize, based on outstanding programming.

A recent honor that particularly pleases Dr. Beverly Everett, however, is the Outstanding Organization Stewardship Award bestowed by Bemidji Leads, a civic leadership group. “This acknowledges that we inspire people and improve quality of life in our area,” Beverly declared.

Since accepting an appointment in 2005 as the orchestra’s first resident conductor, Beverly implemented improvements contributing to an upsurge in orchestra development and community support. She appointed a Concert Master and section leaders, raising expectations for rigorous individual practice by all musicians. To perfect performances, she changed the rehearsal format from weekly to “a condensed, intense” schedule prior to concerts. The Board and Symphony Guild fundraised for outstanding guest artists, such as pianist André Watts and the Brubeck Jazz Trio, and for a youth symphony infusing new vitality into the parent organization.

Higher standards drew more musicians, tripling the orchestra’s size over the past five years to approximately 75 musicians. The age range now spans seven decades. Increased artistic capacity, in turn, allowed ambitious concerts for a community that responded with great enthusiasm. When BSO joined ArtsLab, the emphasis on artistry and community reinforced BSO’s direction. Audiences grew to 235 season ticket holders and over 1,600 participants annually. “Musical Testaments”––BSO’s 2010-2011 season’s theme––captures the sense of how valuable the orchestra has become to its community.