May 2026 Special Edition

 

After many years as the Music Director of the Mid-Peninsula Recorder Orchestra Fred Palmer is stepping down from his position. He will be replaced by Marion Rubinstein as the Music Director. We appreciate all that Fred has done for the orchestra and wish him well in whatever he does in the future. We look forward to working with Marion and the new music that we will be playing under her direction.

 

Here are some words from Fred Palmer.

Dear MPRO members,

I want to thank you for the messages and cards I have received expressing your concern, good wishes and encouragement regarding my recent health situation. I have had a very serious bout with pneumonia and it looks like recovery will take some time. I am getting good care and gradually regaining my strength. I miss working with the members of MPRO but know that you are in good hands with Greta Haug-Hryciw as you prepare for the orchestra’s spring concert. I wish I could attend that performance in person, but my current condition does not allow me to do so. I will however plan to watch it remotely and am sure it will go well under Greta’s leadership.

Due to my current health situation I have reluctantly decided to step down as Music Director of MPRO in order to allow the orchestra to prepare for someone to take my place next season and allow it to continue its activities without any disruption. Over the thirty-six years that I have directed MPRO I have gotten to know some wonderful and very talented people and working with them has lead to new insights into my understanding of music as well as how to make a musical ensemble sound its best. I have also been impressed with the knowledge and expertise of many of the members and their willingness to help the orchestra keep up with technological and other changes that have been required to allow MPRO to continue as a viable musical organization. I want to thank all those who have served on the MPRO Board of Directors while I was Music Director and seeing to the day to day operations of the orchestra so that everything went smoothly and we could go from one successful season to the next so efficiently. Special thanks go to MPRO’s current Board and its members who, in my absence, have taken the initiative to prepare for the orchestra’s upcoming spring concert and transitioning to a new Music Director next season. And, of course, we all need to express our gratitude to Greta Haug-Hryciw who has served as MPRO’s Assistant Music Director for many years and stepped up at the last minute to direct the orchestra’s spring concert and final rehearsals in preparation for the performance.

I am also pleased to announce that Marion Rubinstein has been selected as MPRO’s new Music Director. Marion has extensive experience on recorder and keyboard, both as a performer and teacher, and is a member of the Albany Consort, which presents regular concerts throughout the Bay Area. I have known Marion since my graduate days at Stanford University, where we both received our music degrees, and I’m sure the members of MPRO will appreciate the knowledge, expertise and talent she brings to the orchestra.

Finally, I would like to keep up with what the orchestra is doing and, of course, am available should anyone wish to consult with me regarding any of its activities. I also want to keep in touch with the MPRO membership and encourage anyone who wishes to contact me and let me know how things are going. My best wishes to all of you as you begin a new chapter in MPRO’s long and successful history.

 

And here are some words from Marion Rubinstein.

Hello MPRO members and board,

 

I am thrilled to become your new director.  Fred has written such complimentary words about me, and I’m moved and not a little anxious to be able to live up to his expectations of me!  I was very impressed with the standard of playing I heard at last night’s rehearsal.  You are well-disciplined players who follow your conductor Greta extremely faithfully (as I’m sure you followed Fred).  The group must be a joy to work with.

 

I love the spread of repertoire and variety of instruments, and hope to expand on this.  Looking forward to meeting you again in the fall, maybe with some new members.

 

Marion Rubinstein

 

 

 

Music Director: Fred Palmer

Assistent Director: Greta Hryciw

 

The Board:

President: Kathrin Hoffnagle                          Treasurer: Michelle Futornick

Secretary: Francie Souza                                Membership: Chris Flake

Publicity: vacant                                             Graphics: vacant

Newsletter Editor: Tom Granvold                  Virtual Meeting Host: Ray White

Workshop Coordinator: vacant                       Hospitality: vacant

Music Sales: vacant                                        Webmaster: Dan Chernikoff

 

MPRO website: http://www.mpro-online.org