Susan Pearl, president, and the Board of Directors of the Prince George’s Philharmonic are pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Bromilow as its next Music Director. Mr. Bromilow becomes the seventh conductor of the Philharmonic as it begins its 61st season. He succeeds Jesus Manuel Berard, who retired at the end of the 2024-2025 season.
The appointment comes after a search lasting more than a year. Thirty-five applicants were eventually narrowed to five finalists by the Search Committee. Each of these five exceptionally qualified finalists led the orchestra through rehearsals and one concert, and had extensive interviews and conversations with orchestra and audience members.
Susan Pearl said, “Our Board of Directors was immediately impressed when we interviewed Nick, and orchestra members were challenged and delighted when he led us in a terrific concert of Florence Price, Copland, and Shostakovich. Many audience members advised us quite bluntly: “HIRE NICK!” We are delighted to have done so, and look forward to a wonderful season ahead!”
As Music Director, Bromilow will lead all Philharmonic concert programs, oversee orchestral programming, and continue local collaborations as well as foster new ones, among other duties.
Nicholas Bromilow said, “I am incredibly excited to join the Prince George’s Philharmonic as Music Director. During my visit earlier this year, I was impressed not only by the musicians’ commitment and enthusiasm, but also by the collaborative spirit and sense of community that exists throughout the organization. I believe orchestras have a unique ability to bring people together, and I am excited to work with the musicians, board, and community to ensure that Prince George’s Philharmonic remains a source of pride, inspiration, and artistic excellence for the county.”
Nicholas Bromilow is a British conductor who recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Orchestral Conducting. During his time at Michigan, he served as Music Director of both the Life Sciences Orchestra and Michigan Pops Orchestra, alongside conducting engagements with university and community ensembles in the United States and United Kingdom. Passionate about bringing orchestral music to new audiences, his projects have ranged from performances in aircraft hangars, historic tunnels, and nightclubs to educational initiatives and community partnerships designed to make classical music more accessible and engaging.
The Prince George’s Philharmonic is a community orchestra based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It performs at least five concerts a season in various venues within Prince George’s County. The new season begins on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Details for the 2026 – 2027 season will be announced in July 2026.
Concert dates are planned for:
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 13, 2026, 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7:30 pm
Saturday, February 6, 2027, 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 13, 2027, 7:30 pm
Saturday, May 15, 2027, 7:30 pm
All dates, times, artists, and venues subject to change without notice.
Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Jason Love, conductor and music director candidate
Thomas Pandolfi, piano
DUKAS: La Péri: Fanfare
BEETHOVEN: Overture to Egmont, Op. 84
MACDOWELL: Piano Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 23
HINDEMITH: Mathis der Maler
Bowie State University, Fine & Performing Arts Center, Bowie, MD
Peter Wilson, conductor and music director candidate
Samuel Tatsuki, viola, Johannsen International Competition Winner
SPRENKLE: A’rounding
BARTÓK: Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
BIZET: Symphony in C
Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Johannes Visser, assistant conductor
Pamela Simonson Parker, soprano
Holiday Concert
The Philharmonic is delighted to once again share with you the festive sounds of the holidays. We continue our collaboration with CAAPA, the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts “Bringing color to the classics,” for the annual Holiday Concert. The Philharmonic’s own Symphony Kids, soprano Pamela Simonson Parker, and the Children’s Chorus and Dancers from Prince George’s Christian Academy will join us for a concert featuring music of the season. Johannes Visser, the Philharmonic’s assistant conductor, will lead the program. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of holiday splendor.
PROGRAM:
ANDERSON: Sleigh Ride and A Christmas Festival
HANDEL: Rejoice, greatly from Messiah
PROKOFIEV: Selections from Lieutenant Kije Suite
NILES: I wonder as I wander
HOLCOMB, arr.: Festive Sounds of Hanukah
SMALL: O Happy Holiday Sing
And more.
Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Nicholas Bromilow, conductor and music director candidate
Dr. Falecia D. Williams, narrator
PRICE: Mississippi River Suite • Side-by-Side
COPLAND: Lincoln Portrait
SHOSTAKOVICH: Symphony No. 1 in F Minor, Op. 10
Dionne Warwick Theater, Fine & Performing Arts Center
Bowie State University, Bowie, MD
Michael Hall, conductor and music director candidate
Pre-concert event. The pre-concert event will begin at 7:00 pm.
The Philharmonic’s own Symphony Kids string quartet, SQ126, will present a performance in celebration of Music In Our Schools Month®.
Second, the Bowie State University Choir, under the direction of Professor Brandon J. Felder, will present several selections culminating in a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner with the Philharmonic.
PRICE: Ethiopia’s Shadow in America
BENNETT: The Four Freedoms: A Symphony After Four Paintings by Norman Rockwell
STILL: Symphony No. 4 ”Autochthonous”
Chamber Music Recital
Rita Sloan, piano
David Yarbrough, violin
Brenton Benfield, horn
KOECHLIN: Four Short Pieces for piano, violin, and horn
BRAHMS: Trio in E Flat Major, Op. 40 for piano, violin, and horn
Tickets are $20 and will available at the door.
We accept cash, check, or electronic payment via Square.
Jordan Randall Smith, conductor and music director candidate
Zihan Zhu, piano **
Chris Gekker, trumpet
STRAUSS: Death and Transfiguration, Op. 24
SHOSTAKOVICH: Concerto No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 35, for Piano, Trumpet and Strings
SCHUMANN: Symphony No. 1, Op. 38 in B Flat Major “Spring”
Tickets are available now.
We are sad to announce that piano soloist Rita Sloan has withdrawn from the performance on Saturday, May 16th due to illness. We wish her a speedy recovery.
We thank pianist Zihan Zhu for her willingness to step in on very short notice, joining trumpet soloist Chris Gekker for our performance of the Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 at The Clarice.
We are excited to have Ms. Zhu perform with us and look forward to an exciting 60th Anniversary Season Finale.
Thank you for your understanding.
Zihan Zhu
Zihan Zhu studied piano under the guidance of Ms. Tian Lu and Mr. Yury Shadrin. She was selected as the only student from Guangxi to be invited to the Leon Fleisher Academy Embassy Concert Series, where she gained valuable performance experience. She was also chosen to participate in masterclasses with distinguished artists, including Gary Graffman, Jerome Lowenthal, and Professor Boris Berman of Yale University.
Her competition achievements include First Prize at the Aegio International Piano Competition, First Prize at the Quebec Music Competition, Second Prize at the Elevato International Piano Competition, and the Junior A Division Championship at the 5th IAC International Piano Competition National Finals.
In 2021, Zihan entered Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a substantial talent scholarship and is currently a senior majoring in Piano Performance under the mentorship of Professor Alvin Chow. She has also been admitted to Carnegie Mellon University to pursue a Master’s degree in Arts Management.
Made possible in part through funding provided by the Prince George’s County Council; the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County; and the Maryland State Arts Council.
