about us

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Orchestra Delray has been a valuable part of the South Florida music scene for over 45 years. With its vast and varied repertoire, it has provided area audiences with quality musical experiences that offer something to satisfy every musical taste. After directing the orchestra for most of its musical life, Dr Clark McAlister became Conductor Emeritus, turning over the baton to Maestro Terence Kirchgessner in 2023. Maestro Kirchgessner has brought a fresh and vibrant perspective to the orchestra’s performances.

Orchestra members bring significant musical experience to the group in many forms, including orchestral, chamber and solo work. In addition to Orchestra Delray’s Kings Point performances, you might also see its members at major performing arts centers in the tri-county area and beyond, playing for major artists on tour, from Andrea Bocelli and David Foster to the famous Opera Diva Anna Netrebko. These experienced players help Orchestra Delray provide its audiences with an enjoyable and exciting musical experience at each and every concert.

Like all orchestras in this country, Orchestra Delray cannot be sustained by ticket sales alone. Donations go a long way to assist in keeping Orchestra Delray playing. If you are able, donations of any size (but the larger the better, of course!) are most welcome. You can donate at a concert with the envelope you’ll find in your program or send donations to:  

Orchestra Delray

c/o Beverly Sanders

12587 Kettle River Pass

Boynton Beach, FL 33473

A native of Rochester, New York, Terence Kirchgessner began his conducting studies at the age of fifteen with Jeff Greene, a prominent wind conductor and award-winning educator. He attended the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam where he conducted the wind ensemble, early music ensemble, string orchestra, chamber orchestra and held the position of Assistant Conductor of the Crane Symphony Orchestra.

A versatile conductor, Kirchgessner's engagements have included a performance with the rock band Dashboard Confessional, performances at the Muse Awards, conducting singers from the Palm Beach Opera and Florida Grand Opera and yearly musical theater productions with Jan McArt. He has also conducted ensembles at the Hartwick and New York Summer Music Festivals as well as the Clarkson University Orchestra, the Treasure Coast Symphony and the Symphonia of Boca Raton. For over a decade, Terence was the Staff Conductor at Lynn Conservatory of Music in Boca Raton, Florida where he had the privilege of conducting the Lynn Philharmonia, Lynn Chamber Orchestra and various other ensembles.

Mr. Kirchgessner is currently the Music Director of the Broward Symphony, Artistic Director of the Treasure Coast Symphony and conductor of Orchestra Delray.

Terence Kirchgessner holds a Bachelor of Music from the State University of New York at Potsdam and a Master of Music from Lynn University. His primary conducting mentors were Timothy Topolewski, Chris Lanz and Jon Robertson.

Hailing from New York, August Berger is a dedicated professional musician, conductor, and educator who has found his musical home in South Florida.
 

As a bassist, August has performed with orchestras including the Southwest Florida Symphony, Palm Beach Opera, and Symphony of the Americas. His performances have spanned renowned venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and locally, at the Arsht Center, Broward Center, and Kravis Center.

Mr. Berger's heart lies in education and conducting, where he humbly draws from his diverse experiences to nurture and develop the next generation of artists. Currently, he serves as the Director of Orchestra at Saint Andrew’s School and has previously taught at North Broward Preparatory School. He also contributes as an Assistant Conductor and Double Bass coach with the Florida Youth Orchestra. His private students have achieved admission to respected music schools, earned positions in All State and All County Orchestras, and consistently received top ratings at state festivals and competitions.
 

August's musical odyssey began at the age of seven, thanks to the public school music program. In 2010, he commenced his undergraduate studies at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, SUNY. August graduated summa cum laude in 2014 and was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Music. He continued his educational journey under Timothy Cobb’s guidance at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University, where he was awarded a full tuition scholarship and earned his Master of Music degree in 2016.