Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
Selects Ronald Vigue as Executive
Director Veteran Arts Administrator
Joins ASO from
Philadelphia’s Orchestra 2001
The Atlantic Symphony
Orchestra, the professional orchestra of Boston’s South Shore region, has
appointed a veteran arts administrator, Ronald G. Vigue, as the orchestra’s new
Executive Director.
Ron Vigue brings more than 13
years of classical arts management expertise to the ASO. Prior to his
appointment, he was the Executive Director of Orchestra 2001 in Philadelphia. During
his four-year tenure he set new attendance and fundraising records and played a
vital role in the ensemble’s Carnegie Hall debut and a 2009 Grammy Award
nomination. No stranger to the Boston
area, Vigue (pronounced VEE-gew) was Executive Director of The Boston Camerata
before moving to Philadelphia. In addition, Vigue is an active, award-winning
composer, currently writing his first opera with Obie-winning playwright Albert
Innaurato for Center City Opera Theater in Philadelphia. Vigue studied
composition with Lukas Foss and Theodore Antoniou at Boston University, and
Betsy Jolas in Fontainebleau, France. As Executive Director of the
Atlantic Symphony, Vigue succeeds Nina Wellford, who worked closely for 12
years with veteran ASO Music Director Jin Kim to develop one of the leading
professional orchestras in New England.
Ronald G. Vigue
Xiang Yu wins Menuhin Competition on April 24, 2010 Atlantic Symphony assistant concertmaster overcomes odds to win in Olso
Some of you might have noticed that Massenet’s “Meditation” from Thais, the haunting work for violin soloist, suddenly disappeared from the season finale Pops program. That’s because our soloist, assistant concertmaster Xiang Yu, was in Oslo, Norway that weekend, competing in the prestigious Menuhin Competition for Young Violinists.
And winning it.
After 3 rounds of competition, Xiang Yu won First Prize Senior, the Bach Prize, and the Audience Prize. He also had to compete against the Icelandic volcano: it erupted on the day that he flew into in Reykjavík on his way to Norway. As Xiang said, he considered it a win just to get to the competition in time.
For the complete (and truly amazing) story, listen to this delightful interview with The World’s Marco Werman on NPR. Click here for audio.
A tribute to Xiang Yu, whom is friends call Angelo, appeared in the May 6 Hingham Journal, talking about the inspiration that his mother provided. The article was written by ASO board member Roy Harris. Click here to read the story.
Congratulations to Xiang on this spectacular success!
NINA WELLFORD TO STEP DOWN AS MANAGING DIRECTOR IN JUNE, 2010
Read the following letter from Nina Wellford, announcing her retirement after 12 years as Managing Director of Atlantic Symphony Orchestra:
March 26, 2010
Dear Friends of Atlantic Symphony Orchestra,
I'd like to let all of you know that I have decided to step down as Managing Director of Atlantic Symphony Orchestra at the end of this season.
I've held this position for 12 years, since the year after Jin Kim arrived as Music Director, back when we were making the transition from an all volunteer community orchestra in the earliest days of Hingham Symphony. Many of you have traveled those years with me, and others have joined in along the way, as we've grown into the outstanding regional orchestra that we are today. One of my proudest achievements was managing a successful name-change process four years ago: we maintained our identity as an intimate orchestra that exists to serve our community, yet claimed a name that expresses the depth, timelessness and quality of what we do - Atlantic.
Over the years, I have always loved being Managing Director of this organization. It's challenging work, yet unbelievably rewarding. The best memories and annual high points are too numerous for this letter, but I was fortunate to experience them with you - our musicians, volunteers, boards, supporters and audience. Most of all, I will never forget the feeling of standing in the back of the hall once the concert begins, and listening to the music unfold. It's a special view from back there, one that I am privileged to have had.
I believe that the orchestra is ready for someone new to take up the challenge. We are strong in many key ways, and yet there is much to do. I'm looking forward to being an audience member, a donor, and an advocate for this wonderful organization in the community. In other words, I'll join YOU.
As we finish the season, please help me leave Atlantic Symphony in tip-top shape for the next managing director and the team of board members and volunteers who will continue this good work.
I thank you and I thank the orchestra for all of the support you have given me over these years. You have helped make life wonderful.
With deep gratitude,
Nina S. Wellford
March 26, 2010 The BOARD of DIRECTORS' RESPONSE
Nina's passion, creativity, commitment to community and of course, to music, along with her unending energy have provided true moments of joy in our lives. In partnership with Jin Kim, she has worked tirelessly to bring great music to the South Shore! So, Nina, thank you for all you've accomplished and all you've given. There is no doubt you will bring the same success to your next endeavor as you have to the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. With all our hearts, we wish you the very best!
The Atlantic Symphony will continue to bring the great music you have all come to expect to the South Shore. Interviews are currently underway, ensuring a robust transition to a new and talented Managing Director who will be in place soon to continue Nina's great work. (Many of the candidates were, in fact, among the audience at Masterworks Encore - which had them at their feet!)
Stay tuned as we plan in upcoming weeks to honor Nina's remarkable achievements with the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra. We also look forward to introducing you to her successor. Together, we will continue to grow and share the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra experience throughout the South Shore. Expect more magic in the music to come!
Band in Boston... Again
Read the Boston Globe Online March 19, 2010 article about Atlantic Symphony's planned concert at New England Conservatory' Jordan Hall, with comments from the League of American Orchestras, Jin Kim, and Nina Wellford about the how smaller orchestras have weathered the economic storm... CLICK HERE for story
RESULTS of the 2010 BAY STATE CONCERTO COMPETITION
On Sunday,
March 7, 2010 six superb musicians vied for the seal of approval of three
distinguished judges and an audience riveted by their skill.
A concerto is a work
for orchestra that highlights an instrumental soloist. The 5th Annual Bay
State Concerto Competition, sponsored by Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, invites
solo musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compete for cash prizes,
recognition, and the honor of performing with the orchestra in the following
season.
"Concerto
competitions for musicians aged 18 - 30 are rare, and there are not many
competitions where the winner can play the entire concerto with the orchestra
in concert,” says Atlantic Symphony Music Director Jin Kim, who worked with
Managing Director Nina Wellford to develop the competition 5 years ago.
“Musicians welcome this opportunity, so we receive top-quality
contestants."
In the FIRST ROUND,
the competition committee reviewed dozens of applications that were submitted by musicians from around the country, from musicians living in the Boston area, and
some from musicians who are members of Atlantic Symphony. Sixteen were invited to participate in the
semi-final round.
In the SEMI-FINAL ROUND,
held at Boston University on Saturday, March 6 (the day before the finals),
each of the 16 musicians played portions of their chosen concerto
unaccompanied by a pianist. They performed “blind,” meaning that the panel of
judges is behind a screen, and the musician is not allowed to speak. That way,
matters such as gender, physical appearance or movement, whether the musician
is known or not by the judges, are eliminated from consideration. The panel
listens for many qualities, including technical skill and musicality.
One of
the judges in the semifinal round was Andrew Price, the ASO’s longtime
principal oboist and a veteran teacher and performer for such ensembles as the
Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra. It was the third time this Newburyport
resident has been a judge in this competition. In an interview with Boston
Globe editor Dean Inouye, Andrew spoke about what he looks for as a judge. Read the full interview here. By Saturday afternoon, the
judges decided who would be called back for the FINAL ROUND on Sunday.
This year, 6 of 16
musicians were selected to compete in the final round:
Congratulations
to each finalist, listed here with the concerto they chose:
Etienne
Espagne, violin - Stravinsky: Violin Concerto in D major; Jihye Kee, violin - Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor,
Op. 63 Aleksey Klyushnik, double
bass - Hoffmeister: Concerto No. 3 in D major Akiko
Kobayashi, violin - Bartók: Violin Concerto No. 2 (Sz
112) Ethan Wood, violin - Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major,
Op. 19 Ryan Yuré, bass clarinet - Bloch: Schelomo, Rhapsody
for Cello and Orchestra
The FINAL ROUND – LIVE! On Sunday,
March 7, the finalists arrived early at House of Prayer Lutheran Church, a
modern, intimate sanctuary in Hingham that is graced with excellent acoustics.
They met the three
judges: Tony Beadle, a double bassist and experienced arts administrator, Eric Rosenblith, who has held a long and distinguished career as a
violinist and as chair of the String Department at New England Conservatory in
Boston, and Atlantic Symphony Music Director Jin Kim (who was seeing the
musicians for the first time, having only heard them from behind the screen the
day before!). The 6 finalists drew their performance order from a hat, and
learned which portions of the concerto the judges would ask them to play (all
from memory, of course).
At 4:00,
the competition began. Each musician played for about 15 minutes accompanied by a pianist, before the judges and a live audience of people who appreciate great
music-making.
From
Hoffmeister to Bloch, the works chosen by each musician were challenging to
play and fascinating to listen to. Each finalist handled the pressure with
poise and skill.
In the
end, the judges had to choose who would win the three top prizes, and the
audience voted for their favorite to receive the Audience Choice Award.While the judges deliberated, the
audience and musicians unwound and celebrated at the Awards Party, enjoying
delicious appetizers and wine. When the final decisions were announced,
everyone received their well-deserved Bravos!
And the 2010 winners are:
First PrizeEthan
Wood, violin $1,200 cash prize and a performance of a complete concerto with Atlantic Symphony Orchestra sponsored by Jon S. Davis of Law Firm of Stanton & Davis
Second PrizeRyan Yure, bass clarinet $500 cash prize and a performance as soloist at an ASO Chamber Concert
Third
PrizeAleksey
Klyushnik, double bass $300 cash prize
Audience ChoiceRyan Yuré, bass clarinet
Congratulations to all of
the fine musicians who participated in the 2010 Bay State Concerto Competition.
We look forward to hearing you play in the future.
Many
thanks to the sponsors of the Awards Party: Pembroke
Center Liquors • Equal
Exchange Coffee, West Bridgewater • Derby
Street Shoppes, Hingham
And to Jon S. Davis of the
Law Firm of Stanton & Davis for underwriting First Prize
Ryan Yure congratulates First Prize winner Ethan Wood, while 3rd prize winner Aleksey Klyushnik and finalists applaud
Akiko Kobayashi & Jihye Kee, violinists
Etienne Espagne, violinist
Ethan Wood & Jessie Rosinski
Judges Eric Rosenblith & Tony Beadle
MUSIC REVIEW
Sounds of the South Shore, in Jordan Hall by Jeremy Eichler, Globe Staff | February 3, 2009
You
may have heard of the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra even if you think you
haven't. It used to be the Hingham Symphony Orchestra but changed its
name two seasons ago. Why confuse listeners? It's about branding, of
course. The group began life (in 1945) as an amateur ensemble, and it
is now a professional one, made up mostly of early-career musicians. It
has a highly committed music director, Jin Kim, and big ambitions for
its future, so its board wanted a new name worthy of them.
The
ensemble is not exactly as pan-coastal as that new name suggests, and
this is a good thing. Groups may have the urge to travel widely but
often the noblest thing an orchestra can do is thrive in its home
community, where it is needed most. And the Atlantic appears to be
doing just that, offering more than 20 programs this season - including
chamber music, family concerts, a concerto competition, and music
education events - taking place almost entirely on Boston's South
Shore. That's an impressive local presence.
On Friday night, the
group ventured to Jordan Hall, opening its program with a performance
of Mendelssohn's "Hebrides Overture." As was immediately clear, the
Atlantic plays well by regional orchestra standards and has a large,
full, robust sound. It is clearly a tremendous asset to the entire
South Shore.
Still, in these trying times for arts
organizations, one might wonder just how important it is to undertake
the significant expense of renting Jordan Hall for a performance in the
already well-served Boston market. After all, the crowd on Friday night
was modest in size and appeared to be made up mostly of the orchestra's
loyal fan base from its home community. That said, hearing the ensemble
shine in such a beautiful and acoustically rewarding concert venue
surely brought great pride to Atlantic supporters, and no small
enjoyment for the orchestra itself. A big date like this one can also
bring direction to a season.
When it came to programming its
Jordan Hall concert, the Atlantic faced a tricky choice. It had
originally scheduled an iconic yet seldom heard work by Krzysztof
Penderecki but ultimately decided it could not justify the additional
resources that the extra rehearsals would have required. Instead it
replaced the work with the Mendelssohn overture, a timeless gem, of
course, but also a piece performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra
four times in the last two weeks. If the Atlantic decided it was worth
the expense of appearing in a prominent Boston venue, perhaps it should
have justified the investment in a more distinctive program that might
have allowed it to pull in a few more new faces and demonstrate a
broader artistic vision.
The works the Atlantic did choose were
well-executed. Most rewarding was a colorful and shapely account of
Barber's Canzonetta, with principal oboist Andrew Price giving an
eloquent account of the solo line. Sibelius's "Spring Song," also a
late addition to the program, allowed the group to showcase the heft of
its massed forces. Throughout the night, Kim's direction was crisp and
energetic. The concert ended with a sometimes rough-hewn yet
invigorating performance of Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra" that
brought the audience to its feet.
Jeremy Eichler can be reached at jeichler@globe.com.
Thayer Academy Gala Concert Opens New Center for the Arts
Atlantic Symphony Orchestra & Conductor Jin Kim were proud to help inaugurate the new Center for the Arts at Thayer Academy, in a benefit performance featuring outstanding guest soloists. Thayer alumni Charles Castleman, violinist, and Suzanne Ciani, pianist, both internationally acclaimed professional musicians, performed several works with the orchestra, and ASO prinicipal oboist Andrew Price played the crowd-pleasing Gabriel's Oboe by Morricone.
For the evening's grand finale, Steven Tyler, lead singer of Aerosmith, joined the orchestra for a spectacular rendition of Aerosmoth's Grammy-awadrd-winning I Don't Want to Miss a Thing. It was a great evening in support of the arts on the South Shore!
READ COMPLETE DETAILS below photos photos thanks to Andrew Bergsten (#1,2,3) and Christopher Bernstein (#4 - 9)
on the same page
Nice oboe, Andrew!
Jin & Steven harmonize
cheers!
I Dont Want to Miss a Thing
Steven joins the orchestra
Charles Castleman plays Carmen
Soloist Andrew Price
Suzanne Ciani, award-winning pianist
Gala weekend celebrates new partnership
Atlantic Symphony celebrated the beginning of a new partnership on the weekend of October 18, when Thayer Academy officially opened its gorgeous new Center for the Arts.
The concert hall seats 540 in luxurious amphitheater-style seating, with great sight-lines to the wide stage. To be used for both music concerts and theater productions, the stage has a movable acoustic shell to enhance the sound of the orchestra. With ample parking and a location just two minutes from Rte 3 in Braintree, the new hall is convenient for audiences from across the South Shore region.
On Saturday night, Oct 18, over 500 people attended a gala evening to celebrate the Center’s opening. A cocktail party in the spacious lobby preceded a delicious dinner served under the tent outside.
At 8 pm, the audience filled the concert hall for a program featuring superb performances by students, professionals and alumni. After two sublime songs by the Thayer Academy Concert Choir, Thayer’s student Jazz Combo took the stage for a rollicking set featuring dynamite vocals and blistering guitar riffs. They were joined by alum Chelsea Tallarico and her father, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, for the final three songs, receiving a huge ovation.
The second half of the program was anchored by Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, opening with a rousing “Ruslan & Ludmila Overture” by Glinka and the haunting Gabriel’s Oboe played by oboist Andrew Price. Two Thayer alumni who have made major careers as musicians: award-winning New Age pianist Suzanne Ciani and internationally-known violinist Charles Castleman, performed as soloists accompanied by the orchestra. Then Steven Tyler came back on to sing his Grammy-winning “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” backed by the full orchestra. They brought the house down, for a perfect ending to a great evening.
On Sunday, the Center reopened for a community open house. Nine Atlantic Symphony musicians and Jin played a KidsConcert (for about 200 adults!) that showed everyone just how exciting an introduction to classical music can be.
As “orchestra-in-residence,” the ASO will present educational programs for students at Thayer, and will help open the Center for the Arts to the general public through two major public concerts: Joyful Noise on Saturday, December 6 at 7:30 pm and the Discovery Concert for families on March 1 at 3 pm.
Schools partner with symphony, conservatory
By Carol Britton Meyer Thu Feb 07, 2008, 01:55 PM EST
Hingham - The “H-3” community music partnership is committed to providing “exceptional music experiences” for the young people of Hingham.
The partnership is made up of the Hingham Public Schools Music Department, the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and the South Shore Conservatory, all of which have strong connections with the Hingham community.
Variation on an orchestra: Era of the Atlantic Symphony begins this weekend
By KAREN GOULART The Patriot Ledger Sat Oct 20, 2007 HINGHAM - A new season, a new name, new programs - there is plenty for Atlantic Symphony Orchestra conductor Jin Kim to be excited about.
It’s a feeling he hopes to ignite in listeners at Saturday’s opening night Masterworks concert in Duxbury and spread throughout the year.
The Hingham Symphony Orchestra -- a one-time community orchestra that outgrew its roots -- has a new name that befits its growth and ambitions.
The orchestra announced its rechristening as the Atlantic Symphony Orchestra at its season-ending pops concert last weekend in Braintree. The new name also comes with a tagline that recognizes the orchestra's ongoing regional connection: South Shore in Concert.
