WVSO Music Director Lawrence Loh Invites WV Vocalists to Jan. 17 Auditions

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (12/19/17) –West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) Music Director Lawrence Loh invites West Virginia vocalists to showcase their talent during auditions set for Jan. 17 in Charleston.

“My goal is to get a better sense of the incredible talent available in West Virginia that I’ve been hearing so much about,” Loh said. “Knowing what’s available locally will be a tremendous help as we plan future programming for the orchestra that involves two of my biggest passions – symphonic and choral music. I think some of the greatest music combines orchestral music with voice, and we hope to share some of that wonderful music with future audiences across the state.”

Loh, who was named music director in May, earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from Indiana University and met his wife, Jennifer, while conducting the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and she was singing in the Colorado Symphony Chorus.

Loh and West Virginia Symphony Chorus Director David Castleberry have been discussing ways to include more choral music in the WVSO’s 2018-2019 Capitol Conference Center Symphonic Series and to add new voices to the symphony choir. Both are interested in hearing from basses, tenors, altos and sopranos singing all types and styles of music.

Vocalists should prepare two contrasting pieces that highlight their range and talent to perform during the audition. Singers should bring sheet music of their selections in their preferred key. The WVSO will provide an accompanist, however the accompanist will not transpose or improvise. Vocalists may bring their own accompanist.

Auditions will be held between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 at Cavendish Hall, 207 52nd St. SE, Charleston (Kanawha City). To schedule an audition time, call Betty King at 304.957.9878. The deadline is Jan. 12.

The WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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Deadline to Apply for WVSO Music Fellowship Is Jan. 5

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (11/21/17) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra invites high school instrumental music students to apply for the Andrew and Amy Vaughan Student Symphonic Fellowship, a monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music students. 

Jan. 5 is the deadline to apply for this program that focuses on developing and encouraging West Virginia students interested in pursuing careers as professional musicians, educators, composers or conductors.

Selected fellows will sit alongside WVSO musicians in rehearsals for the second half of the Capitol Conference Center Symphonic Series concert season and will conduct personal research about the music being performed. Fellows also will meet and interact with guest artists, guest conductors and Music Director Lawrence Loh. Other fellowship activities are tailored to the winning candidates based on their interests and ability. The program takes place primarily outside school hours. 

Candidates should be serious instrumental music students in grades 9-12. Applications will be accepted for students playing the following instruments: harp, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, pitched and unpitched percussion, and piano. 

From the application round, finalists will be invited to the Jan. 18 two-part interview/audition round. Students are encouraged to perform one or more movements from the standard concerto repertoire for solo instrument and orchestra. Pianists are encouraged to perform a sonata movement from the standard piano repertoire.

Applications are available at wvsymphony.org/Education/Vaughan Fellowship. The program is underwritten by a generous donation from Dr. Andrew and Amy Vaughan. 

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces Holiday Gifts for Hard-To-Buy-For Friends, Family

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (11/19/17) –  The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) invites you to give the gift of music this holiday season with its ever-popular Home for the Holidays concert, The Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah.

The WVSO, conducted by Grant Cooper, will perform such holiday classics as Away in a Manger and Sleigh Ride as well as selections from “The Polar Express” during its Home for the Holidays concerts in Lewisburg on Dec. 1, in Charleston on Dec. 2, in Parkersburg on Dec. 3 and in Morgantown on Dec. 4. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. except Parkersburg, which begins at 3 p.m. These concerts, which are part of the ZMM Pops Series, are made possible with generous support from City National Bank, Underprivileged Children Foundation, Mon Health, and TransCanada.

On Dec. 8 and 9 in Charleston, the WVSO, conducted by Robert Turizziani, will share the stage with the talented dancers of The Charleston Ballet in presenting Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovky’s The Nutcracker. The Dec. 8 concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center; the Dec. 9 concert begins at 2 p.m. These performances are made possible through generous support from Appalachian Power, Steptoe & Johnson, and WCHS ABC 8/WVAH Fox 11.

Then on Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston, the WVSO and the West Virginia Symphony Chorus, conducted by David Castleberry, will perform Handel’s Messiah.

For tickets:

·       In Charleston, visit wvsymphony.org or call 304.561.3570. Tickets start at $17.

·       In Lewisburg, visit carnegiehallwv.com or call 304.645.7917. Tickets start at $23.75.

·       In Morgantown, visit wvsymphony.org or call 304.293.SHOW. All tickets $25.

·       In Parkersburg, visit wvsop.org or call 304.485.4200. Tickets start at $22.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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