Margery Deutsch Announces Retirement Plans At Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra

Now in her 34th season with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), Margery Deutsch has announced her plans to retire from her role as Music Director of Senior Symphony, the flagship orchestra, at the end of the 2019-20 season. In consultation with the Board Chair and a small advisory group of board directors, we are delighted to announce that Ms. Deutsch will transition into the first Music Director Laureate in MYSO's history, in recognition of her long-standing commitment to musical artistry and education. Her tenure saw the expansion of MYSO's reach internationally as she led tours throughout the world including China, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Canada, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, Argentina, Uruguay, and Ireland, as well as in the United States.

Ms. Deutsch says, "It has been my distinct honor and privilege to have worked with over 2,000 talented young musicians. During my tenure, MYSO has become one of the largest and best youth orchestras in the U.S." She adds, "our tours evolved from outdoor venues, when I first joined, to performing in some of the finest concert halls in the world today."

She joined MYSO mid-season in January 1987 when MYSO's enrollment was around 350-400 musicians. MYSO has more than doubled its enrollment to 1,000 musicians since then, playing in more than 25 ensembles. "MYSO back then resembled nothing that it is today," says Ms. Deutsch.

Reminiscing, Deutsch says "it's been a lot of hard work, but it's been so gratifying. Our alumni are everywhere, whether as performing artists or highly functioning musical citizens."

"This is a momentous occasion for MYSO," says Linda Edelstein, Executive Director. "In her long tenure here, Margery has tirelessly elevated excellence and standards for Senior Symphony, and by extension, for all of MYSO. We are deeply indebted to her contributions and her genuine care for MYSO through all those years."

On behalf of the Board Chair and its advisors, we are pleased to announce that MYSO's Artistic Director, Mr. Carter Simmons, will assume the Music Director role of Senior Symphony beginning in the 2020-21 season. He will continue as Music Director of Chamber Orchestra.

Deutsch reflects, "as my legacy, I am happy to pass on a healthy, vibrant organization with high artistic standards."

Since 1956, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) has been nurturing, challenging, and inspiring young minds through music, profoundly changing lives and our community for the better. MYSO has grown from one orchestra and 30 students to become the largest after-school youth orchestra in the country, and one of the most respected. We serve 1,000 of the area's young musicians, ages 8-18, who come from more than 200 schools, 90 zip codes, and as many as 14 counties throughout southeastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. We reach an audience of 25,000 annually through more than 100 public performances.

Today we offer more than 40 ensemble and enrichment training options, ranging from symphony and string orchestras, and jazz and steel pan bands to music theory, composition, and international tours, providing quality musical experiences for a wide range of skill levels.

For more information about MYSO and its many programs, please visit myso.org.

Ms. Deutsch has held of the role of Music Director for the Senior Symphony at MYSO since 1987. Named Professor Emeritus in 2012, Deutsch served as Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) from 1984-2012. She currently serves as Music Director of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's University Community Orchestra, an ensemble of over 125 musicians ranging in age from 12 to 88.

In great demand as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Ms. Deutsch has more than thirty years of experience on the podium. She has worked with professional, community, youth, and high school orchestras and has traveled the world, performing in over a dozen countries on four continents.

A native New Yorker and Regents Scholar, she holds a Master of Music degree in orchestral conducting, a Master of Arts degree in musicology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in flute and vocal performance.

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