Milwaukee Symphony Formed Holocaust Education Partnership
The MSO and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center will collaborate on concert programming.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Classical
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The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center have launched a partnership to integrate history into upcoming concert performances. This collaboration will support the symphony's scheduled presentation of Erich Wolfgang Korngold's Violin Concerto in 2026.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to provide audiences with a deeper understanding of the history surrounding Korngold, a composer who fled Nazi-annexed Austria for the U.S. in the 1930s. Educational efforts will bridge the gap between classical performance and 20th-century history.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra manages 130 annual concerts, while the HERC provides educational resources to 383 school districts. Violinist Julian Rhee, who will perform the concerto, is a recipient of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant.
The players
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
This is a professional musical organization based in Milwaukee that performs approximately 130 concerts annually.
Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center
This organization provides historical education and resources to 383 school districts to promote understanding of the Holocaust.
Julian Rhee
He is a violinist and winner of a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant who will serve as the soloist for the October performances.
The details
HERC will host a gallery display in the Ellen & Joe Checota Atrium and provide in-school presentations alongside free preconcert talks titled Meet the Music. The program centers on the Violin Concerto by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who became a U.S. citizen in 1943 after leaving Austria.
Timeline
1934: Korngold traveled to Hollywood for film work.
1938: Nazi Germany annexed Austria.
1943: Korngold became a U.S. citizen.
October 9, 2026: First performance of the Korngold concerto.
October 10, 2026: Second performance of the Korngold concerto.
Industry Dynamics
This partnership mirrors a growing trend of arts institutions integrating deep historical context into performance series to enhance community engagement. It builds upon the Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center's existing educational outreach model.
Patrons can attend free Meet the Music preconcert talks at the Bradley Symphony Center during the 2026 performances. Students will also gain access to new lesson plans and historical presentations developed by HERC staff.
The takeaway
By connecting concert repertoire to the historical narratives of the composers, orchestras can transform musical performances into interdisciplinary educational experiences. Concertgoers are encouraged to arrive early for the preconcert talks to engage directly with the historical context provided.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural events on the Milwaukee Classical page.
More information
For performance details, visit the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra tickets and information website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urban Milwaukee.
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