2022.23 Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow Concert

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra the Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow Concert presents

Photo by Jonathan Kirn

2023 STARS OF TOMORROW

Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 7:30 pm

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Anais Griffith-Oh, marimba

Abhinay Reddy, flute

Jane Story, violin

Stars of Tomorrow Semi-finalists and Honorable Mentions

EMMANUEL SÉJOURNÉ

Concerto for Marimba and Strings

I. Allegro

Anais Griffith-Oh

GEORGES HÜE

Fantaisie for Flute and Orchestra

Abhinay Reddy

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS

Concerto No. 3 in B minor for Violin and Orchestra, Opus 61

I. Allegro non troppo

Jane Story

ANTONÍN DVORÁK

Symphony No. 8 in G major, Opus 88

I. Allegro con brio

II. Adagio

III. Allegretto grazioso

IV. Allegro ma non troppo

Stars of Tomorrow Semi-finalists and Honorable Mentions

The length of this concert is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra can be heard on Telarc, Koss Classics, Pro Arte, AVIE, and Vox/ Turnabout recordings. MSO Classics recordings (digital only) available on iTunes and at mso.org.

MSO Binaural recordings (digital only) available at mso.org.

Yaniv Dinur is the winner of the 2019 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award. Resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and music director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Dinur is lauded for his bold programming, insightful performances, and unique ability to connect with diverse audiences, from season subscribers to first-time concertgoers.

Currently in his third season as music director of the New Bedford Symphony, he leads the orchestra with star soloists such as Yefim Bronfman, Joyce Yang, and Vadim Gluzman, and in a wide range of repertoire that includes music by women composers on every concert. As the resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony, Dinur conducts more than 50 concerts per season. Highlights of recent and upcoming guest conducting engagements include subscription debuts with the Houston Symphony and Fort Worth Symphony, a return to the San Diego Symphony, and his debut at the Peninsula Music Festival.

Dinur made his conducting debut at the age of 19 with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, a performance that resulted in multiple return engagements with the NSO. Following his European debut, he was invited to perform with the Israel Camerata, making him the youngest conductor ever to conduct an orchestra in Israel.

YANIV DINUR continued

He since conducted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony, Houston Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, New World Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, Orchestra Sinfonica Abruzzese, Pomeriggi Musicali in Milan, Solisti di Perugia, Torino Philharmonic, Portugal Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Festival Orchestra, State Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM in Mexico, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa.

Dinur is the winner of numerous awards, among them the 2017 and 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Awards, 2nd Prize at the 2009 Mata International Conducting Competition in Mexico, and the Yuri Ahronovitch 1st Prize in the 2005 Aviv Conducting Competition in Israel. He was chosen by the League of American Orchestras to be a featured conductor in the 2011 Bruno Walter Conducting Preview, and he is a recipient of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation and the Zubin Mehta Scholarship Endowment. He has worked closely with such world-class musicians as Lorin Maazel, Michael Tilson Thomas, Edo de Waart, Pinchas Zukerman, Itzhak Perlman, and Kurt Masur.

Dinur was born and raised in Jerusalem, where he studied piano with his aunt, Olga Shachar, and later with Alexander Tamir, Tatiana Alexanderov, and Mark Dukelsky. He studied conducting with Dr. Evgeny Zirlin and Prof. Mendi Rodan at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. In 2007, he moved to the United States to study with Prof. Kenneth Kiesler at the University of Michigan, where he earned his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting.

ALEX AYERS

2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS JUDGES

A native of Wisconsin, ALEX AYERS has played violin with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2013. He is currently the MSO’s acting assistant concertmaster. Ayers studied at Indiana University with Mimi Zweig and Alex Kerr. He has performed collaboratively with Joshua Bell, Alex Kerr, Jaime Laredo, Gilles Apap, and Soovin

Kim at IU. Ayers was a member of the Indiana University String Academy’s Violin Virtuosi ensemble for two years, performing in the group’s concert tours to France and Argentina. He has played at the Castleton Festival under Lorin Maazel and currently plays in the Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra in the summer. Ayers received an honorable mention in the 2015 ASTA National Solo Competition and was a semifinalist in the 2010 WAMSO Young Artist Competition and the 2009 Lennox Young Artist Competition. He was the grand prize winner of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Stars of Tomorrow Competition in 2006. When not playing the violin, Ayers enjoys playing Scrabble, Bridge, and Hearts. He follows the tennis news closely and likes to watch the Bucks, Brewers, or Packers play.

JUN KIM serves as the director of orchestral activities and music director of the UW-Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the music director of the Washington Chamber Orchestra in D.C. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, has a Master of Music from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music. He is the prize winner of several international conducting competitions, including first prize of the inaugural Malta International Conducting Masterclass and Competition, first prize winner of the American Prize in Opera Conducting, second prize winner of the Orquesta de Còrdoba International Conducting Competition in Spain, as well as being the recipient of the Beethoven Conducting Prize by the European Music Academy in Czech Republic. Kim has extensively conducted orchestras in the U.S. and Europe. He has appeared with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the North Czech Philharmonic, Orquesta de Córdoba, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and collaborated with renowned artists, including Denyce Graves, Joshua Bell, Rachel Barton Pine, Seong-Jin Cho, Yekwon Sunwoo, Marina Piccinini, and Yeol-Eum Son, among many others.

2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS JUDGES continued

DARCY HAMLIN has held the third horn position with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2003. In addition to her full-time MSO duties, she enjoys visiting Minnesota in the summer to play with the Lakes Area Music Festival, freelancing with numerous brass quintet opportunities in the Milwaukee area, and collaborating frequently with Musaik, Milwaukee’s chamber music consortium. A passionate educator, Hamlin serves on the faculty of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music as well as teaching her own home private studio. Her students have attended prestigious conservatories and won positions in professional orchestras. Her hobbies include reading, drawing, walking, yoga, and being silly with her kids. She lives in Glendale with her husband, writer and editor David Lewellen, and their children, Ben and Sophie.

Audrey Baird’s impact upon the Milwaukee Symphony and other Milwaukee area performing arts groups was significant. She chaired her first committee for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra League as ticket drive chairwoman for her suburb of Wauwatosa (1958) and served as MSO League President from 1965 to 1967. She became an honorary director of the League Board in 1990, having also served on the board as an active member (1973 to 1990). Additionally, she served as president of the Women’s Council of ASOL (now the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras) from 1973 to 1975, which created the Audrey Baird Ticket Sales Award in her name, honoring her legendary ability to train and inspire volunteers. In 1981, she joined the MSO administrative staff as director of audience development. Her lasting contributions, dedication, and spirit are honored annually by the Audrey G. Baird Stars of Tomorrow competition and auditions.

When Audrey received the Gold Baton at the League of American Orchestra’s conference in 1996, the presenter noted: “Audrey’s work as a volunteer leader, marketer, lecturer, and consultant has left a lasting mark on orchestra fund raising and ticket sales. She is the First Lady of volunteer ticket sales, whose unmatched skills and irresistible enthusiasm have multiplied audiences for orchestras everywhere.”

2023 AUDREY G. BAIRD STARS OF TOMORROW SOLOISTS

ANAIS GRIFFITH-OH is a junior at Madison West High School. Anais started piano at age six and has been playing percussion since age nine. She currently studies percussion with Cindy Terhune. Anais participates in the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Vicki Peterson

Jenks and Youth Orchestra conducted by Kyle Knox. She would like to thank Cindy Terhune, Dane Crozier, Tony Di Sanza, and Amy Hartsough for helping her prepare the Séjourné Marimba Concerto.

ABHINAY REDDY , 17, is a senior at Brookfield East High School and has been playing the flute for over seven years, currently studying with Heather Zinninger of the MSO. Along with being an avid flute player in his school’s wind ensemble, Abhinay has been a part of the marching band as a section leader and the pit orchestras for his school’s musical productions of Legally Blonde (2021) and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (2022). Abhinay is also an accomplished flutist outside of school. A part of MYSO, he has been co-concertmaster of the Chamber Flute ensemble and is presently a member of the flagship Senior Symphony Orchestra. This summer, he will be traveling to the Netherlands and Belgium with MYSO. Abhinay was also selected to play in WSMA’s Honors Performance Series from 2018 through 2021, where he was also principal flutist of the orchestra in 2019. Through WSMA’s Solo and Ensemble, he has received an Exemplary Soloist Award in 2022. In 2017 and 2018, he participated in the UWM Honors bands and was invited to play in their All-Star Band in 2018. Additionally, he was named a finalist for the Civic Music Association of Milwaukee competition in 2021. Abhinay is honored to have been selected as a finalist for the Stars of Tomorrow Competition. Aside from music,

JANE STORY

Abhinay is an enthusiastic member of his school’s Latin Club and the WI Junior Classical League (WJCL) where he served as the state cohistorian. He would like to thank his teachers, family, and friends for giving him constant support, help, and encouragement.

JANE STORY , 16, is a sophomore from Stevens Point. She studies violin with Dr. Anna Cromwell. Since her solo orchestral debut with the Madison Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12, Jane has performed as a soloist with the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Civic Symphony of Green Bay, Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra, Birch Creek Symphony, and Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. She was the first prize winner of the Central Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra Program’s Concerto Competition (2018), Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Fall Youth Concerto Competition (2018), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Bach Double Competition (2019, 2020), Civic Symphony of Green Bay’s Miroslav Pansky Concerto Competition (2021), Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition (2022), and Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra’s Betty Frost Jenkins Young Artist Concerto Competition (2023). She was also a finalist and recipient of the Ranheim Award at the Minnesota Orchestra YPSCA’s Concerto Competition (2023). In April 2022, she performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra for the second time as a finalist in the Bolz Young Artist Competition - The Final Forte, broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. Jane is a 2023 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist, and appeared on NPR’s From the Top, Show 423, as well as the Daily Joy video series. She is currently in her first season as a member of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras, where she performs in both the Youth Symphony and the Pondrom String Quartet. With the quartet, she recently received an honorable mention in the String and Piano Category of the 2023 Chicago National Chamber Music Competition, and advanced to the Junior Division Finals of the 2023 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. This summer, Jane will attend Center Stage Strings.

2023 YOUNG ARTISTS

Each of tonight’s soloists received a $1,000 scholarship presented by Forte to further their music education. One soloist selected by the judges as having performed exceptionally well receives an additional $1,000 award. The remaining two soloists each receive a $250 Scholarship Award.

SOLOISTS

Anais Griffith-Oh, marimba, Madison

Abhinay Reddy, flute, Elm Grove

Jane Story, violin, Stevens Point

SEMI-FINALISTS

Sophie Gerew, flute, Mequon

Blessing Kim, flute, Mequon

Arisa Okamoto, violin, Brookfield

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Nolan Boerner, cello, Mount Pleasant

Sofia Castanho-Bollinger, violin, Brookfield

Vivian Isabella Van de Sype-Cucu, viola, Milwaukee

Luke Field, cello, Brookfield

Cordelia Momo Fredrickson, violin, Madison

Harry Hirschberg, flute, Oshkosh

Micaela Huesemann, clarinet, Valders

Elizabeth Jeon, violin, Appleton

Cecilia Koth, violin, Brookfield

Charles Kritsch, viola, Oregon

Ava Larsen, cello, Pewaukee

Kaitlyn McIntosh, viola, Verona

Collin Runnoe, cello, Whitefish Bay

Jayanth Suthan, violin, Menomonee Falls

Lydia Weaver, violin, Mount Pleasant

Elisabeth Young, oboe, Mequon

The following students are unable to perform with us this evening, but we wish to acknowledge their achievements in the 2023 Stars of Tomorrow Competition:

Zak Chen, violin, New Berlin (Semi-finalist)

Grace Huang, violin, Fitchburg (Honorable Mention)

Qing Ng, violin, Madison (Honorable Mention)

Lucy Wu, cello, Whitefish Bay (Semi-finalist)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

A project of Forte and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Stars of Tomorrow Competition is an annual statewide competition for high school string, woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians. Three winners receive scholarship awards and the opportunity to perform as soloists with the MSO.

Semi-finalist and honorable mention winners receive the honor of appearing as orchestral musicians with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. In preparation for the concert, these students participate in workshops presented by MSO musicians.

The 2023 competition was held on February 18 at the First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa. We thank all of the volunteers and judges, and especially our event chair, Jessica Pihart, for ensuring that the auditions were smooth and successful.

Forte

Jessica Pihart, Education/Stars of Tomorrow

Sam Hushek, Event and Volunteer Manager

2023 Stars of Tomorrow Auditions

Jessica Pihart, Chair

Audition Judges

Robyn Black, Catherine Van Handel, Allison Lovera, Madeleine Kabat, Timothy Klabunde, Samantha Rodriguez

Final Round Judges

Matthew Ernst, Jeanyi Kim, Robert Levine

Workshop Clinicians

Timothy Klabunde, Heather Zinninger

THANK YOU

Tonight’s concert is named in honor of Audrey G. Baird (1922-2017), founder of the Stars of Tomorrow Competition (formerly called the Young Artist Auditions). The MSO and Forte thank Audrey for her legacy of passionate and constant support of music education and creating opportunities for young musicians.

Thank you to the First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa for providing a welcoming and effective space for the Stars of Tomorrow Auditions and a resounding thank you to all the Forte members and volunteers for your continued effort and support of this program. It is truly appreciated. Thank you to all of the student musicians who participated in the 2023 Stars of Tomorrow Competition, their teachers, pianists, and families.