Our 59th Season!

The mission of the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society, Inc. is to provide performance and listening opportunities of quality orchestral music for Merrimack Valley musicians and audiences. In addition, we are committed to the nurturing and encouragement of young musicians by providing performance opportunities, training, and scholarships for the advanced study of music

The orchestra was organized in August, 1961 by Joseph Ierardi and other musically minded engineers from the Raytheon Company in Andover. Raytheon was most interested in this cultural endeavor and donated $500.00 to promote the organization.

Mr. Ierardi had a wide musical background and was chosen to be the conductor of the orchestra. Mostly by word of mouth, musicians in the Merrimack Valley area were invited to a rehearsal. Classically trained amateur and professional musicians alike responded, eager to become members. Due to the cooperation of the Musicians' Union Local 372, A. F. of M., both union and non-union musicians were allowed to play together.

In 1962 the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society, Inc. established the following aims:

1. To acquaint listeners with masterworks of orchestral literature.
2. To give professional orchestral training and to offer additional ensemble opportunity to qualified young musicians in the area.
3. To present Youth Concerts and to offer opportunities for young, talented area soloists.
4. To award Scholarships to outstanding area High School musicians who are furthering their study of music.

In the fall of 1967, Mr. Ieradi had to leave due to engineering commitments. He was followed by Nicholas Van Slyck. Well known as a conductor, composer and pianist, Mr. Van Slyck was Director of the Longy School of Music in Cambridge and a member of the faculty of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Later, he founded the New School of Music in Cambridge. He resigned as Music Director in 1982 due to illness and died soon after. A new high of musical excellence was brought to the Philharmonic under his tenure.

After many guest conductors, George Monseur was chosen to be the orchestra's third Music Director and Conductor in the fall of 1984. His credentials include Maestros Leopold Stokowski and Leonard Bernstein among his teachers, a full fellowship in Orchestral Conducting at Tanglewood and a Beebe Foundation Award for advanced study in Europe. He currently chairs the Conducting Department at Berklee College of Music and is Artistic Director for the American Foundation of Musicians and Composers. During his tenure, the orchestra has continued to grow both in size and musicianship as the result of his leadership and pursuit of excellence.

 In June 2001, Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Society, Inc. created a permanent endowment fund for the purpose of supporting the operational needs of the orchestra. The principal of the fund is held in trust in perpetuity and invested by the President and Treasurer under the direction of the Board of Directors' Investment and Endowment Committee.

The MVPS Inc. Endowment Fund is available as a means for those who desire to make gifts or bequests to the MVPS that will have a lasting effect and benefit to the orchestra and will also help ensure the continuance of classical music for years to come. Some contributors have made gifts in recognition of or in memory of loved ones while others simply have contributed to express their enthusiasm for live classical music performance.

If you are interested in making a donation please send a check payable to the MVPS Inc. Endowment Fund and send to

MVPS, Inc.
PO Box 332
Haverhill MA 01831

The MVPS is a tax exempt corporation under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code and, accordingly, all donations are tax deductible.