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Sometimes I think the expression "world-class" is thrown around a bit loosely. 

Given my role, I imagine you won't be surprised when I say that your Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra is world-class.  But hear me out: I think the evidence is overwhelming.

Only the world's best professional orchestras are invited to perform at Carnegie Hall.  This season, the CSO will make its 48th appearance on the stage of this world-famous venue.  And only the top orchestras are invited to perform in the great halls of Europe and Asia.  In a matter of weeks, the CSO will depart on a seven-concert tour across Japan with two concerts in the esteemed Suntory Hall and one concert that will be televised nationally into millions of Japanese homes.  This follows a phenomenal European tour in 2008 that saw sold-out concert halls in Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Munich and Madrid.  The world is clamoring to hear Cincinnati's world-class orchestra perform live.

World-class orchestras also reach audiences around the globe through award-winning recordings.  Your Orchestra's recordings have received multiple Grammy nominations, including a win for the recent Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition surround sound CD on Telarc.  The CSO has had more recordings in the Top Ten Billboard Charts than any other orchestra, and the quality of the CSO is noticed by critics the world over.

This can only happen when you have musicians that are the best of the best, and we are fortunate to have 88 of the world's finest musicians calling Cincinnati home.  We know them most perhaps for bringing audiences to their feet in performance after performance with great music-making, but they also add to the richness of this community in many other ways. 

The ripple effect is there and it is powerful.  Our musicians serve on the faculties at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Northern Kentucky University, Xavier University and more.  They also serve as teachers in area schools throughout the tri-state region including the School for Creative and Performing Arts, and reach many more young people through private instruction, providing top-flight musical training from an early age.

Musicians of the CSO also are actively involved in other ensembles that enrich the community musically, the Linton Chamber Series, CCM Guest Artist Series and Concert Nova to name only a few.  They perform for us in recital halls and places of worship.  In all, this musical activity creates hundreds of musical experiences for the community to enjoy.

But I'm particularly proud to be associated with civic-minded individuals who care about their community and work to make a difference.  A sample of the volunteer activities our musicians pursue gives a sense of their range of interests and commitment: Habitat for Humanity, Children's Hospital, Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education, Friends of the Elderly, Drop-In Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hospice, Save the Animals Foundation - the list goes on and on.

Our world-class musicians excite and entertain our audiences, bring international acclaim to our city, teach and mentor our young people, serve as the backbone of the musical community and are, on top of it all, dedicated and active community citizens.  This is good news for a great city.