Boston Festival Orchestra Co-Founders Alyssa Wang ’19 MM and Nicholas Brown ’19 MM Featured on WGBH
WGBH interviewed Boston Festival Orchestra co-founder, principal conductor, and Artistic Director Alyssa Wang ’19 MM and co-founder and Executive Director Nicholas Brown ’19 MM about the organization’s past and its upcoming season.
The Boston Festival Orchestra (BFO) was co-founded in late 2019 by conductor Alyssa Wang and clarinetist Nicholas Brown, who envisioned a summer festival orchestra that would provide stable employment for local artists while making classical music accessible and engaging. Operating primarily out of the historic Jordan Hall, the BFO breaks down traditional performance barriers through an interactive, "talk-show" style format and a strict programming commitment where at least 50% of its full season consists of works by women and People of Color. Beyond the main stage, the orchestra connects deeply with the local community through its MusicReach program, partnering with organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters and Horizons for Homeless Children to provide music workshops and free concert access to underrepresented populations.
The organization thrives on a balanced partnership between its two founders, who split artistic and administrative duties to bring their shared vision to life. As Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Alyssa Wang shapes the musical identity of the BFO, famously leading the ensemble with an inviting speaking style and crafting creative, thematic programming—such as pairing Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 with the premiere of her own violin concerto, Swept Away, for the orchestra's fifth anniversary. Meanwhile, Executive Director and Principal Clarinetist Nicholas Brown manages the operational backbone of the non-profit, collaborating with local musical unions to ensure fair player compensation and spearheading the orchestra's extensive community outreach. Together, Wang's artistic direction and Brown's organizational drive have successfully turned a local coffee-shop idea into one of Boston's most refreshing summer musical traditions.