Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Farewells Three Retiring Musicians

Bassoonist Julie Green Gregorian, bassist Jonathan Jensen, and violinist Greg Mulligan have served a combined 137 seasons

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has recently announced the retirement of three esteemed members: Assistant Principal Bassoon Julie Green Gregorian, Section Bass Jonathan Jensen, and First Violin Greg Mulligan.

Gregorian is now the longest-serving member of the BSO, having spent 55 years with the group since beginning her tenure in the fall of 1970; her tenure has also included several years of serving as acting principal bassoon in the BSO.

Her first bassoon teacher was the late Edward Gobrecht Jr., a former member of the BSO. She later earned her master’s degree from Temple University, studying with Bernard Garfield, retired principal bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Currently, Gregorian is on the faculty of the Baltimore School for the Arts and the BSO Academy. Gregorian plays on a c.1930 vintage Heckel bassoon. 

First joining the BSO in 1983, Jensen also plays piano for local folk and ballroom dance groups, and mandola with the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet. His work as a songwriter and composer has seen his orchestral arrangements performed on international tours by the BSO. Additionally, he has filled in at the BSO on the keyboard, mandolin, banjo, tin whistle, and percussion. For the past 15 years, he and BSO percussionist Chris Williams have been involved in outreach projects together, including performing in elementary school classrooms.

Mulligan was a member of the BSO’s first violin section for nine years before taking on other roles and returning to the orchestra at the beginning of the 1994/95 season. He has also served on several BSO committees and as concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival. 

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Indiana University, where he studied with Josef Gingold, Mulligan is also the founder of the Atlantic String Quartet, and regularly performs with the Pro Musica Rara early music ensemble. He performs on a 1735 violin made by Gennaro Gagliano in Naples, Italy.

“These three incredible musicians have served the BSO for a combined 137 seasons!” the BSO wrote. “Each of our retiring musicians received a framed photo of the BSO, along with a golden ticket, which grants them free access to any BSO performance. We look forward to continuing to see Julie, Jonathan, and Greg around the hall, and wish them the best in their next chapter!”

“Standing at the front of the BSO stage last night with my colleagues Greg Mulligan and Julie Green Gregorian as our impending retirements are announced,” Jensen shared on Facebook. “There, I’ve made it official! Last concert will be on September 10th.”