Lexington Symphony Phoenix Project

The Phoenix Project will be a 4-day summer camp for adults in the Lexington area who played an instrument in the past and are interested in dusting off their instruments and participating in musical activities side-by-side with the professional musicians of the Lexington Symphony at the orchestra’s home in historic Cary Hall, Lexington. July 21-24, 2025 (Monday – Thursday)

There are many summer music camps in New England for grade school through college age participants, but very few programs for adults who wish to hone their musical abilities. There are even fewer that offer the unique side-by-side experience with professional musicians in a symphonic – or jazz – experience that the Phoenix Project will offer.

The Lexington Symphony Phoenix Project does not require an audition to be accepted!  Participants will be able to see repertoire at the time of registration to allow them to both self-select their playing level and prepare for the experience. Works from the standard symphonic repertoire and from the best of the Big Band literature will be selected for performance.

Sign up here for more information

Participants will work side-by-side with professional musicians in large ensembles, both classical and jazz, conducted by Music Director Jonathan McPhee and Co-Artistic Director Jeffrey Leonard. Activities will include rehearsals in small groups as well as large ensembles, coached by the professional musicians of the Lexington Symphony. The full orchestra and jazz ensembles will perform at the end of the program in Lexington’s historic Cary Hall, home of the Lexington Symphony.

One of the important and unique educational aspects of the Phoenix Project will be the opportunity for participants to observe recording sessions of new works performed by the professional musicians. Immediately after each recording session, participants will be able to ask questions in a discussion with Maestro McPhee and the composers. The selection of compositions for the Phoenix Project recording sessions will be made by a committee that includes Maestro McPhee and Co-Artistic Director Jeffrey Leonard.

Composer Program

Lexington Symphony is thrilled to announce a Call for Scores as part of The Phoenix Project in July of 2025 for local composers in the greater Lexington/Boston area.

One of the most important elements in the development of a composer is the opportunity to hear the works they have written. Professional musicians of Lexington Symphony will record several new compositions by American composers who have submitted works for consideration.  The works will be selected by a committee led by Jonathan McPhee and Jeffrey Leonard. 

The recording sessions on July 24, 2025 will not only give the selected composers an opportunity to hear their work performed live, but will also give them a high quality demo recording to help them attract performance opportunities in the future. 

The recording sessions will be open for observation by the participants in the Phoenix Project Orchestra and Jazz Programs, followed by a Q & A with all participants led by Jonathan McPhee and the composers.

Application for composers will open April 7, 2025. All materials must be submitted by May 2, 2025.

More Information on Composer Program

Schedule  (subject to change)

All events at Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02420

Day 1    - Monday July 21         

10 – 12   Sectional rehearsals

12 – 1      Group Lunch                                  

1-2          Sectional rehearsals

3-5          Sectional rehearsals

Day 2    - Tuesday July 22        

10-1         Orchestra rehearsal/Jazz sectionals

1-2         Group Lunch                                  

2-5         Jazz ensemble rehearsal/Orchestra sectionals                       

7-8               Lecture/discussion session                               

Day 3    - Wednesday July 23

10-1          Orchestra rehearsal/Jazz sectionals           

1-2               Group Lunch              

2-5           Jazz ensemble rehearsal/Orchestra sectionals                    

7PM         Jazz ensemble public side-by-side concert                              

Day 4    - Thursday July 24

10-12:30      Observe composer recording sessions by Lexington Symphony

12:30-1:15  Q&A with Composers and Jonathan McPhee                                    

2-4:30          Observe composer recording sessions by Lexington Symphony

4:30-5:30    Q&A with Composers and Jonathan McPhee

7PM              Full Orchestra public side-by-side concert

9PM              Closing reception for all participants including Lexington Symphony musicians