Concerts @ First presents
Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra Christina Smith, Guest Artist
Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra February 23 , 2022 8:00 p.m. Michael Palmer, Director Jonatas Dos Santos, Graduate Assistant Conductor Xavier Lynum, Graduate Assistant Conductor Christina Smith, Guest Artist
Lyric for Strings
George Walker (1922-2018) Jonatas Dos Santos conducting
Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067
Johann Sebastian Bach
I. Ouverture
(1685-1750)
II. Rondeau III. Sarabande IV. Bourree V. Polonaise VI. Menuet VII. Badinerie Christina Smith, flute INTERMISSION
Symphony No. 104 in D Major, Hob. 1:104
I. Adagio-Allegro II. Andante III. Menuetto and Trio: Allegro IV. Finale: Spiritoso
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
About the Artists Christina Smith is one of the most sought-after flutists in the country as an orchestral player, soloist, chamber musician, and teacher. The 2021-2022 season is Smith's thirtyfirst anniversary season as principal flutist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where she holds the Jill Hertz Principal Flute chair, endowed in perpetuity. Smith's flute solos can be heard on 37 ASO recordings. She has also appeared with the orchestra numerous times as a concerto soloist. She graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy and began her studies at the Curtis Institute of Music as a pupil of the legendary Julius Baker. After just two years in Mr. Baker's studio, she won the principal flute chair in the ASO at age 20. Smith has also studied with Jeffrey Khaner, Tim Day, and has collaborated extensively with master teacher and clinician Keith Underwood. Smith has recently appeared as guest principal flutist with orchestras such as the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Vancouver Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. She earned critical acclaim while performing on the latter ensemble's 2010 European Tour. Equally passionate about teaching, Smith serves on the faculty at Kennesaw State University and maintains a busy private studio. She remains highly in demand to teach masterclasses across the country. Michael Palmer, Director Michael Palmer has long been considered one of this country’s finest conductors. In addition to appearances in the United States, he has also appeared in Europe as a guest conductor in Austria and Poland, where his performances have brought him critical acclaim. Mr. Palmer began his career at age 21, when he came to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor at the invitation of Robert Shaw. He was soon made associate conductor, and founded and was music director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. While in Atlanta, Michael Palmer was honored as one of five of the first conductors in the United States chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to be Exxon Arts Endowment Conductor, and he was soon in demand with orchestras throughout the country. While continuing in his post in Atlanta, he was appointed guest conductor of the Houston Symphony Orchestra for a three-year period. He also worked extensively with the National Symphony Orchestra during this period, and he was, subsequently, named co-principal guest conductor of the Denver Symphony Orchestra. After 10 years in Atlanta as associate conductor, Mr. Palmer accepted the appointment as music director of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Throughout his 13-year tenure, he developed the Orchestra to a high artistic level. Following his tenure in Wichita, Michael Palmer became music director of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. In New Haven, he was recognized widely for his artistic accomplishments and for building the Orchestra to one of the finest of its kind in the nation.
About the Artists In 1993, Michael Palmer became artistic director of the Bellingham Festival of Music. Under his artistic leadership, the festival has become internationally recognized for its artistry. Festival concerts are heard across the nation on NPR and feature some of the finest orchestral musicians and major guest artists from the United States and abroad. He is also the artistic director of the Quartz Mountain Music Festival’s orchestral institute.
Michael Palmer has served as guest conductor for many orchestras throughout the United States, including the Rochester Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, and many others. In 1991, Mr. Palmer founded the American Sinfonietta, which toured Europe for 10 seasons under his leadership, playing to critical acclaim in the major concert halls of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. His recordings include an all-Mendelssohn disc for Summit Records and the Five Beethoven Piano Concerti with pianist Garrick Ohlsson on the Natural Soundfields label. Mr. Palmer may also be heard with the Rochester Philharmonic on the New World label. Mr. Palmer joined the Georgia State University School of Music faculty as director of orchestras in August 2004, after serving in the same capacity at Wichita State University. In 2006, he was appointed as the Charles Thomas Wurm Distinguished Professor of Orchestral Studies. Jonatas Dos Santos, Graduate Assistant Conductor Born in Brazil, Jonatas dos Santos began his musical education (organ and drum set studies) at six. At the age of 8, Jonatas was enrolled at the Feira de Santana State University Conservatory, where he studied classical guitar and saxophone. Mr. Santos got a Bachelor of Music Degree in Conducting in the studio of Dr. Jose Mauricio Brandao at the renowned Federal University of Bahia (UFBA). Mr. Santos also was awarded with a single semester exchange program scholarship at the Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mannheim - Germany. He studied choir conducting with Professor Harald Jers in this school and jazz piano and improvisation. As a Conductor, he performed academic concerts with the UFBA Madrigal and the UFBA Symphony Orchestra and participated as an instrument performer in several presentations and shows. For four years, Mr. Santos was Minister of Music at the Congregational Church of Jardim Cruzeiro and a one-year Minister of music at Monte Gerizim Baptist Church. Jonatas is a second-year master’s student in Orchestral Conducting at Georgia State University in Maestro Michael Palmer’s studio.
GSU Symphony Orchestra Members Violin I
Bass
Horn
Yelisey Zelman
Corban Johnson
Jacob Hartis
Hui Lun Hsu
Noah Gonzales-Rubio
Jeremiah Turner
Rawan Shurbyj
Truman Antah
Xavier Davis
Flute
Trumpet
Violin II
Andre Jones
Rolando Fernandez
Amber Norman
Floria Kim
Michael Blaise
Stephanie Maria Khasayan
Catalina Andrade Juan Pablo RamirezGonzalez Juliana Pinero Kendall Dorsey
Percussion Oboe
Brooke Owen Treston Lawson
Jasmine Anderson Bassoon Viola Eunice Quartey
Shelly Unger Jonathan Headen
Esohe Okungbowa Julia Kakuda Patrick Tabeek Nehemiah Turner Nicole Sarpomaa Akuoko
Cello Charlotte Dennison Miles Oden
Clarinet Joe Horvieth Jordan Epps
Hannah Park
On behalf of Maestro Michael Palmer and the Georgia State University Symphony Orchestra, we would like to extend an expression of gratitude to Dr. Jens Korndorfer and the First Presbyterian Church for welcoming us and our music into this beautiful place of worship.
For more information about upcoming School of Music events at GSU, visit MUSIC.GSU.EDU
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Concerts @ First 2021-2022 Donors Maestro
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Orchestrator
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Concerts @ First presents September 10, December 10, February 18, May 13 12:00 P.M. Bach’s Lunch Series Co-presented with the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta
With members of Julliard and Vega string quartets, and Zuill Bailey Friday, October 29, 2021 8:00 P.M. Battle of the Keys Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto mvt. 1 arr. for piano and organ and a world premiere performed by Julie Coucheron and Jens Korndörfer Sunday, November 14, 2021 4:00 P.M. Atlanta Chamber Players Works by Brahms, Krause, Bunch, and more Sunday, December 12, 2021 10:00 A.M. Christmas Concert Telemann’s Latin Magnificat in C FPC Choir and Orchestra Friday, February 4, 2022 8:00 P.M. Piano Dedication Concert With Chopin Competition Prize Winner Charles Richard– Hamelin Works by Mozart, Schumann, and Chopin Wednesday, February 23, 2022 8:00 P.M. Masterworks Concert Principal Flutist Christina Smith (ASO) with Georgia State University’s Symphony Orchestra Monday, March 7 2022 7:30 P.M. Georgian Chamber Players Sunday, April 3, 2022 3:00 P.M. Atlanta Chamber Winds Works by Dvorak, Mozart, Shulz Saturday, April 9, 2022 8:00 P.M.. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony and Poulenc’s Organ Concerto with Jens Korndörfer Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, 2022 Challenge the Stats Celebrating Artists of Color