Kennett Symphony conductor to retire

Posted by Press Release on October 1, 2012

The Board of Directors of the Kennett Symphony of Chester County announced that Mary Woodmansee Green, longtime music director and conductor of the Kennett Symphony, will retire on Aug. 31. Currently in her 25th anniversary season with the Kennett Symphony, Green will step down at the end of the 2012-13 season as the symphony launches a search for her replacement.

Under her long and creative tenure, the Kennett Symphony moved from a community orchestra with volunteers and paid professionals to a fully professional orchestra serving Southern Chester County. Her imaginative programming and commentary from the podium have enriched the concert experience for thousands of concert-goers. Under her direction, the symphony enjoyed its first sell-outs, hired its first professional manager, initiated the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus and established a vital education program with its annual Instrumental and Voice Competitions, and annual Children’s Concerts with Instrument Petting Zoo. Green has presented world premieres and composers introducing their own works, featured world-renowned performers, outstanding first chair players and emerging artists as soloists. She has integrated opera, dance and fine art into orchestra concerts, and promoted international goodwill with the onstage appearances of senior foreign diplomats.

Green began her varied career as resident director of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, working with a host of internationally known conductors with the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestras. She enjoyed 13 years as music director and conductor of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and has conducted a variety of orchestras in the United States and Europe. She maintains an active schedule with The Mary Green Singers and Chorale at home and abroad and just conducted at the Orvieto Festival of Strings in August. A dynamic speaker, she presents talks for a variety of civic groups, including pre-concert lectures for the Philadelphia Orchestra.