Wellesley Symphony Orchestra announces narrator for “Lincoln Portrait”

The Wellesley Symphony Orchestra (WSO) has announced that Dr. David Podell, President of Massachusetts Bay Community College, will narrate the orchestra’s upcoming performance of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait” on Sunday, February 8, 2pm, at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice St.

David Podell, Ph.D. joined MassBay in 2016 as its sixth president. 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 WSO. “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.”

In addition to Lincoln Portrait, the orchestra will perform Sinfonia India by Carlos Chavez and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 – Eroica.

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 its 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.