The Hamptons Festival of Music Announces The New American Sinfonietta as Resident Orchestra for its 2022 Premier Season

East Hampton, NY— The Hamptons Festival of Music (“TH·FM”) is pleased to announce the creation of The New American Sinfonietta (“TNAS”), the Festival’s resident orchestra. TNAS is a by-invitation, virtuoso orchestra of distinguished musicians, many of whom hold principal positions with leading North American orchestras.

Maestro Michael Palmer, TH·FM’s Artistic Director, established the original American Sinfonietta, which served as his critically acclaimed European touring orchestra for over 10 consecutive years.

TNAS is the new incarnation of the original American Sinfonietta and celebrates the legacy of this unique orchestra.

“It is my joy to launch The New American Sinfonietta, inspired by the orchestra with which I toured Europe for ten consecutive seasons. The concept of an invited orchestra of the top players in the country who have enjoyed making music together, consistently, over many years, provides a uniquely vibrant live performance experience of the great orchestral repertoire.” ~Michael Palmer, Artistic Director, TH·FM

Members of TNAS will convene in East Hampton, starting on 5 September 2022, for the inaugural season of TH·FM. Joining them will be leading international featured guest artists including: Pepe Romero, renowned classical guitarist, Otto Sauter, one of the world’s leading solo trumpeters, who specializes in the piccolo trumpet, featured in Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, and Arthur Haas, one of the most sought-after harpsichordists in the United States, joining TNAS for the Brandenburg Concertos.

“TNAS is at the core of our mission – to preserve and advance the legacy of classical music. Those who will join and support us in our inaugural season will experience firsthand the unique chemistry, artistry, and bond that Maestro Palmer shares with many TNAS musicians, some spanning a legacy of decades performing together. Our commitment to the Hamptons community will provide a unique and memorable concert experience that will leave you feeling like you have been a part of the performance on our concert stage.” ~Michael Yip, Executive Director & Board Chair, TH·FM

You can show your support of TNAS by joining TH·FM’s Homestay Partner’s Program (“HPP”), the flagship Festival sponsorship program. Being a Homestay Partner offers the unique opportunity to host members of TNAS and gain access to exclusive Festival benefits for HPP members. Please visit www.thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com/hpp for more details about how you can support TH·FM and TNAS.

ABOUT MAESTRO MICHAEL PALMER

Michael Palmer (born 8 May 1945, Indianapolis, Indiana) is an American orchestral conductor.

Palmer began his professional career at age 21 when he became Assistant Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 1967, under its legendary Music Director Robert Shaw, and was later named Associate Conductor. In that capacity, he founded and became the first director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in 1974. In 1975 he was one of the first young American conductors selected as an EXXON/Arts Endowment Conductor by the National Endowment for the Arts.

He left the ASO in 1977 to become Music Director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra (1977– 1990), followed by the posts of Music Director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (1989– 1997) and the American Sinfonietta (1991–2002), with whom he toured Europe for 10 consecutive seasons. Since 1993 he has served as Founder and Artistic Director of the Bellingham Festival of Music (Bellingham, Washington); 2022 will be his final season as Artistic Director, after which he will become its Conductor Laureate.

Palmer also was Guest Conductor for three seasons for the Houston Symphony Orchestra (1978– 1981) and Co-Principal Guest Conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra (1979–1982) and has made international appearances as a conductor in Canada, Europe, and China. He has also held academic conducting posts as Director of Orchestras for Wichita State University (1999–2004) and Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies at Georgia State University (2004–present).

ABOUT THE HAMPTONS FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

The Hamptons Festival of Music (TH.FM) is the brainchild of Maestro Michael Palmer, who has established, maintained, and sustained the Bellingham Festival of Music, the premier orchestral music festival in the Pacific Northwest, for over 29 years. (www.bellinghamfestival.org)

Maestro Palmer recognized the artistic gravitational pull of Long Island’s East End, which is deeply rooted in the works of many legendary artists. He set in motion plans to create a similar yet unique classical music and festival experience specifically serving the local, year-round residents in East Hampton and the surrounding hamlets and villages.

In this inaugural pilot season, over one weekend, concertgoers will have the opportunity to experience three genres of concert performance:

1. Concerto for small ensembles
2. Chamber music
3. Full concert for symphony orchestra

...all presented in intimate concert settings.

Festival performances will present audiences with unforgettable experiences of live performances of some of the greatest classical masterworks.

TH.FM features internationally recognized guest artists performing with The New American Sinfonietta, the resident orchestra of TH·FM. This orchestra comprises top orchestral musicians from across the US, Canada, and abroad, including many who hold principal positions with leading orchestras and ensembles.

WEBLINKS:

For more information about Maestro Michael Palmer, visit: maestropalmer.com

For more information about TH.FM, visit: thehamptonsfestivalofmusic.com

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mark Gresham
Lux Nova Media
e-mail: media@luxnovamedia.com
tel: 404-664-0759