The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra Announces Dr. David Podell as Narrator for Lincoln Portrait

The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that David Podell, President of MassBay Community College, will narrate the orchestra’s upcoming performance of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait on Sunday, February 8 at the Wellesley High School Auditorium.

David Podell, Ph.D. is the sixth president of Massachusetts Bay Community College, joining MassBay in July 2016.  A long-time academic leader and scholar, Dr. Podell’s passions have focused on expanding higher education access and providing high quality educational opportunities to help students advance their academic goals, advance their careers, and enrich their lives.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Podell to the stage,” said Carol Davidson, President of the Wellesley Symphony.  “David Podell is a strong supporter of the Wellesley Symphony; we could not ask for a better partner towards our mission of promoting and introducing classical music of diverse composers to a broad audience throughout MetroWest and beyond.”

Lincoln Portrait, composed in 1942, combines Copland’s stirring orchestral music with excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches and writings. The work has become a celebrated piece of Americana that honors Lincoln’s legacy of democracy and freedom.  Dr. Podell adds: “I am moved by the beauty of Copland's music and the power of Lincoln's words.  To me, Lincoln Portrait couldn't be more timely.”

MassBay serves approximately 6,000 students from the greater Boston and the Metrowest region on campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland.  Through transformative education, MassBay contributes to the growing regional economy and cultivates the potential of their students, empowering them to thrive in our local and global communities

Now in our 77^th season, the Wellesley Symphony is the orchestra-in-residence at MassBay, directed by Mark Latham.  The Symphony presents six concerts from October through May and performs at MassBay’s Spring Commencement.

The concert will take place at Wellesley High School at 2pm, Sunday, February 8.  In addition to Lincoln Portrait, the orchestra will perform Sinfonia India by Carlos Chavez and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – Eroica.