THE SEARCH CONTINUES: LAWRENCE LOH APRIL 3-8
/Lawrence's Schedule
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 21,2017) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its search for a new music director with conducting candidate Lawrence Loh performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston.
Loh will lead the orchestra in Samuel Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Grammy-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux, described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” will perform Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Roberto Sierra’s Folias Concerto with the orchestra.
“We are happy to welcome Lawrence to Charleston,” said WVSO President Joe Tackett. “The program he has selected is going to be a great introduction to the WVSO family and the entire community, and we trust that he will be as amazed by our orchestra as the other candidates have been.”
Loh, who is the music director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, is one of six candidates vying to replace retiring Maestro Grant Cooper, who has led the WVSO since 2001.
Tickets for the April 8 performance begin at $10 and can be purchased by visiting wvsymphony.org or by calling the Clay Center Box Office at 304.561.3570. $10 “Tweet Seats” are available in the second balcony where the audience is encouraged to share their concert experience with the WVSO via social media.
Loh is the inaugural music director of Symphoria, which was founded by former members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director and principal conductor of the Syracuse Opera. In 2015, he concluded a decade-long association with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he was promoted from assistant to associate and later resident conductor.
Off the podium, Loh is an arts leader and music advocate. He created a successful Apprentice Conductor Program at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in 2012, designed to help identify and train the next generation of conductors. He also was active in Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Concerts, extending its reach into other communities. In 2015 Loh led the groundbreaking Sensory Friendly concert designed for people with sensory sensitivities, including individuals on the autism spectrum.
Loh will be fully immersed in Charleston during his stay the week before the concert, with many free and open-to-the-public opportunities for the community to engage and interact with him. He will meet with different constituencies, including musicians, board, staff, the West Virginia Symphony Chorus, the West Virginia Youth Symphony, Kanawha County String Education programs, media, Rotarian groups, and more. For public opportunities to meet Loh, please visit wvsymphony.org for the full week’s schedule.
This concert is part of the Capitol Conference Center Symphonic Series and is sponsored by Dinsmore, DiTrapano Barret DiPiero McGinley & Simmons, PLLC, Webb Law Centre, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, and Jackson Kelly PLLC. Sponsors for the conductor’s search are BrickStreet Insurance, Appalachian Power, FHL Bank of Pittsburgh, the Bernard H. and Blanche E. Jacobson Foundation and the BB&T West Virginia Foundation.
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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LAWRENCE LOH SCHEDULE
April 3-8, 2017
Monday, April 3
4 – 6 p.m. | Lattes with Larry – Conducting Candidate Lawrence Loh will serve as a guest barista at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. This event is open to the public.
7 – 7:30 p.m. | West Virginia Youth Symphony Rehearsal visit – Horace Mann Middle School
8 – 8:30 p.m. | West Virginia Symphony Chorus Rehearsal visit – Christ United Methodist Church
Tuesday, April 4
9:30 – 11 a.m. | Kanawha County String Education program visit (contact for exact time and location)
Wednesday, April 5
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Vandalia Rotary Presentation, Embassy Suites, Charleston
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Edgewood Summit Presentation, Baker Lane, Charleston
Thursday, April 6
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Baton, Bites, and Insights – Clay Center stage (bring-your-lunch lecture; free & open to the public)
7 – 9:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center
Friday, April 7
4 – 6:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center
8 – 10:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center
Saturday, April 8
10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center
6:30 – 7 p.m. | Pre-Concert Talk – Clay Center stage
7:30 – 10 p.m. |Symphonic 5 Concert – Clay Center
