Symphonic Metamorphosis
Since our last newsletter, eight new members have joined our GRSMA family. We welcome (seated, left to right) Andrew Laven, Kimia Ghaderi, Louisa Blood, (standing, left to right) Andrew Plaisier, Brigid Babbish, Jonathan Reed, Christopher Houlihan, and Arturo Ziraldo. (Photo credit Andrew Genemans)
In August, horn player Paul Austin was re-elected as President of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM). We are so proud that Paul holds this important post and appreciate all that he does for orchestral musicians. This photo shows Paul addressing reporters in Chicago last March during the strike of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
We have our very own cover girl now! Violinist Grace Kim graced the cover of the September 2019 issue of "Grand Rapids Magazine" for their Fall Arts Preview issue.
In August, oboist and composer Alexander Miller traveled to Santa Cruz, California to perform the world premiere of his composition “Nature Trail” for solo oboe, commissioned by the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music. Ale has been busy as a composer lately, working on commissions from the US Navy Band, the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Fifth House Ensemble, as well as a new work for the GRS next season.
Congratulations to Mary Beth Orr, who was awarded first prize in the horn solo competition at the 2019 International Women’s Brass Conference, held in May 2019 at Arizona State University!
(Photo credit: Karin Schrouder Willman)
Bass player Gerald Torres and his wife Rachele welcomed a wonderful addition to their family in July.
