our sincerest thank you to our supporters! · 2021. 2. 6. · (katrina cain), ’linger’ (greater...

McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Music Series | www.mckinneyphilharmonic.org |

OUR SINCEREST THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

GRANTS

CORPORATE DONORS

This project is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the McKinney Arts Commission, McKinney Community Development Corporation,

Visit McKinney and Frisco Arts.

A special thank you to Annie Royer and the Music and Arts Guild for the countless support and generous donations.


OUR SINCEREST THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!

INDIVIDUAL DONORS

BENEFACTORSara Jennings

PATRON Marisela Contraras

CHAMPION Steven CundallJoAnn Graham

Kelly LeeKrupa Nayakanti

Annie RoyerWendy Woods

SUPPORTERJoan Cotter

Donald CutlerPernie Fallon

Ross IrvinLucy Katzen

Kavitha KrishnappaFarzad Lak

Kelly Burden LeeReid Lettie

Demarre McGillPayal Patel

Gerald Rausch

CONTRIBUTORAlice and Dana Burwell

Jennifer Caputo Cynthia CarmackRosemary ClayCynthia CundallMark DeWeese

Janice Alaine HaugeWilliam IrvinRichard PerryChad Scott

Brent StidhamDanny & Mary Stout

Daniel Visser

FRIENDMarlene O’Day Cruickshank

Peggy NortonElior Sharivker

Cynthia Carmack, PresidentMary Stout, Vice President

Jennifer Terrasi, SecretaryJanice Hauge, Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS


Featuring the Odysseus Chamber Players

Marina Dichenko, ViolinDanielle Mendelson, Violin

Jason Lim, ViolaTess Crowther, Cello

Mehrdad Gholami, FluteEvgeni Karelin, Clarinet

Quartet No. 6 in A minor for flute, violin, viola and cello .......................Domenico CIMAROSA i. Allegroii. Adagioiii. Finale

Flute Quartet in D Major K285 ........................................................Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarti. Allegroii. Adagioiii. Rondo

BRIEF INTERMISSION

Clarinet Quintet in A Major KV.581 .................................................Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarti. Allegroii. Larghettoiii. Menuetto and trioiv. Allegretto con Variationi

CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES CONCERT PROGRAM


ABOUT JASON LIMRecognized by the Denton-Record Chronicle as one of “2012’s Most Fascinating People,” the career of conductor Jason Lim is on the rise. Lim was born in Penang, Malaysia and began his formal training in viola performance when he won a scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Alice Waten. He commenced his studies at the Canberra (Australia) School of Music, and completed his bachelor’s degree with honors at the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. Jason received his Master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the University of North Texas.

Known for his fine technique in performances and innovative programming, Jason began his conducting studies in Australia: first as an apprentice with the Canberra Youth Orchestra, and later as an Assistant Conductor with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic

Orchestra in Sydney, a position that was awarded in conjunction with winning 1st Prize in the New South Wales Ministry of Arts Conducting Prize. Most recently, in a competitive selection process, Jason was selected by the Texas Commission on the Arts into the Texas Touring Roster Inclusion. In 2016-2017 Jason was the 1st Prize Winner of the American Prize Competition for professional conductors. In 2015 Jason was the 2nd Prize Winner. Additionally, In 2016 Jason received the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for excellence in performing American Music. In 2013 Jason made his European conducting debut with the Academic State Concert Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine in Kiev and in 2014 appeared as guest conductor with the Zabrze Philharmonic Orchestra in Poland and the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jason has also appeared as guest conductor with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and Johnstown Symphony Orchestras and has appeared as guest conductor with choruses around the globe. In addition, Jason’s work extends to other art mediums such as visual arts and dance notably with collaborations with prominent dance choreographers like Bill Evans. Jason has also appeared as guest conductor of the Denton Bach Society and the American Baroque Opera Orchestra.

A champion of new music, Jason has conducted at conventions including SEAMUS Y2K (the acousma tex conference) and the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2001, he was a guest conductor with the Composer’s Forum Orchestra which he conducted world premiere performances of aspiring young composers. In 2012 Jason commissioned the world premiere of BREATH by Brad Robin. During his tenure as Music Director of the NOVA Ensemble, Jason led the group in its first commercial recording in 2000 on the “Equilibrum” label. Jason conducted the world premiere performance of Brian Bavelander’s Distant Visions for orchestra and pre-recorded tape.

In 2010, Jason was among eight conductors selected to participate at the Ithaca International Conducting Workshop under the tutelage of Gustav Meier. Jason has also attended the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Maine. Jason remains an active performing violist, having performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony of Malaysia, Australian National Opera Orchestra and Texas Baroque Ensemble. Jason was also a member of the University of North Texas Graduate String Quartet.

Jason is known for his commitment to community and a strong believer in education while dedicating his talents working with young musicians, and conducting orchestra workshops in Asia and the United States. He served as conductor and educator for 10 years with the Abilene Summer Music Festival in conjunction with Hardin Simmons University, the Pan American Music Festival in Edinburgh Texas, as well as the Penang State Orchestra Workshop in Penang, Malaysia and serves as Artistic Director of the Summer Music Intensives in McKinney, TX since 2015. Jason’s mentors include distinguished conductors: John Farrer, Nicholas Braithwaite, Henryk Pisarek and Max McBride. Jason currently also serves as Artistic Director of the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra and is also Artistic Director of the Summer Music Intensives in McKinney, Texas.

Currently, Jason is the Artistic Director and conductor of the Odysseus North Texas Chamber Orchestra, a group he founded in 2012. In 2014 the orchestra was awarded second prize in the Professional Orchestra division of the American Prize Competition and third prize the previous year. Thanks to Jason’s commitment to education, the group pioneered a unique mentorship program that gives talented high school students the opportunity to perform side-by-side with professional musicians.


ABOUT TESS CROWTHER, CELLO

Canadian cellist Tess Crowther is currently based in Dallas, Texas. She is quickly gaining recognition for her unique musicianship that spans a wide range of genres. She has shared the stage with a number of esteemed artists ranging from Yo-Yo Ma to Weird Al. Follow her on instagram @tesscrowther to keep up with her latest performances and videos, or check out more on her website: www.tesscrowther.com

As a classical cellist Tess is an avid soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. Her solo engagements have taken her across Europe and North America, where she has worked with various international artists and ensembles.

Tess has led as principal cellist in a number of orchestras including the National Youth Orchestra of Canada where she was awarded the Steve Sitarski Leadership Award in 2013. She was invited as one of three cellists in Canada to participate in the 2013 Canada-India National Orchestral Tour in India. She is currently the principal cellist of the McKinney Philharmonic and a tenured member of the East Texas Symphony.

You can find Tess featured in videos including ‘Transcendence’ (Grigori String Quartet) ‘Rhiannon” (Katrina Cain), ’Linger’ (Greater Than Live by Gateway), and ‘Terminator’ (JoslinMusic). She has also been featured on Global News Edmonton and Breakfast Television Toronto. In the recording studio Tess has recorded with artists and ensembles such as the Fort Smith Symphony, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Catie Waters, KC Clifford, Katrina Cain, Aziz Maraka, Luksimi Sivaneswaralingam, Joslin, Robby Higgenbottom, Jason Dodge, Erik Johnston, Rameez Anwar, Drew Zaremba, and Rachael Winters.

Tess began playing the cello at age three. She holds two undergraduate degrees – a Performance Diploma in Cello Performance from The Glenn Gould School at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Thompson Rivers University, as well two graduate degrees - a Performer’s Diploma and Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from Southern Methodist University. Tess’s primary teachers include Andrés Diaz, Chris Adkins, Sasha Adkins, David Hetherington, Shauna Rolston and Rachel Mercer.


ABOUT MARINA DICHENKO, VIOLIN

Marina Dichenko studied violin in Kharkov at Central Music School, Ukraine. After graduation, she continued her studies in Gnessin’s Academy of Music in Moscow, Russia and TCU School of Music in Fort Worth, Texas. As a soloist and member of chamber groups, Marina has performed in concerts and festivals in Ukraine, Russia, Belgium, and Japan. Marina was awarded second prize in Chamber music competition in Donetsk, Ukraine and fourth prize in the International Competition of Chamber music in Kaluga, Russia. In 2014, she

graduated from the Artist Diploma program at TCU School of Music. During the last three years she has been the principal violin in the TCU Symphony Orchestra as well as at Odysseus Chamber Orchestra. Her other performance credits include concerts with San Angelo, Las Colinas, Arlington, Garland and Plano Symphony Orchestras. Marina is currently a teaching artist at B Sharp Youth Music Program.

ABOUT MEHRDAD GHOLAMI, FLUTE

Born in Tehran, Mehrdad Gholami won the first place in Iran’s biggest national competition (National University Concours) which allowed him to continue his studies at the University of Tehran. During his time in Tehran, Mehrdad won numerous solo and chamber music competitions in Iran such as Fadjr chamber music competition, Iran Young Artists Competition, and Tehran Flute Competition.

A devoted advocate of new music, Mehrdad has worked with many composers to commission and perform new works for flute, resulting

in the first solo album of Iranian contemporary music for flute published by his alma mater and numerous world premieres. He also received the prestigious, three-year Susan and Ford Schumann fellowship (2017-2019) to serve as the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble (ACE) flute fellow and will serve as the flute fellow for the contemporary ensemble at the Atlantic Music Festival in the summer of 2021. In August 2019, Mehrdad made his solo debut with Aspen Contemporary Ensemble performing Judith Shatin’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (Ruah).

Mehrdad’s DMA dissertation was on the subject of “Iranian contemporary music for flute” where he included an expansive chapter on the history of Western music in Iran. As an advocate of his “Iran Flute Project”, Mehrdad has premiered works by Iranian composers at the National Flute Association and Mid-Atlantic Conventions.

As an orchestral player, Mehrdad has served as principal flute of the Tehran Symphony Orchestra and has also had the privilege of playing with the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra (Los Angeles, Disney Hall debut), Fort Worth symphony and other local orchestras. Mehrdad holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tehran, where he studied with Dr. Azin Movahed, and a master’s and doctoral degree from Texas Christian University where he studied with Dr. Shauna Thompson. He has had the opportunity to work with esteemed artists such as Nadine Asin, Demarre McGill and Mark Sparks. For more information, please visit www.MehrdadGholami.com.


ABOUT EVGENI KARELIN, CLARINET

Evgeni Karelin is a Russian-Israeli Clarinetist currently living in Fort Worth, Texas. Evgeni received Graduate degrees from Jerusalem Academy of Music and is currently working on his post graduate degree in TCU.

Evgeni Performed in many prestigious concert halls in Israel, Germany, Netherlands, and USA with Orchestras as Jerusalem Symphony, Wiemar symphony and the Israeli Opera. He has appeared as a soloist with Ashdod Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Academy Symphony

Orchestra and Ministry of education youth orchestra.

Evgeni participated in several prestigious music festivals including the Penderecki music festival, Weimar festival, Miami music festival, Duxbury and Crested Butte music festival. He performed under button of outstanding conductors as Michael Sanderling, Caren Levine, Frederic Chaslin, Bradley Moore, David Effron and many more. Evgeni is currently principal clarinetist of Odysseus Chamber Orchestra and is a dedicated clarinet teacher.

ABOUT DANIELLE MENDELSON, VIOLIN

Danielle Mendelson was born in Israel where she began her formal training at the Jerusalem Academy of Music. Danielle has performed with internationally recognized orchestras which includes The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Israel Symphony orchestra, Israel chamber orchestra, Raanana symphony orchestra, Jerusalem symphony orchestra and Ashdod symphony orchestra.

Mendelssohn has appeared as soloist with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Raanana

Symphony Orchestra and Lithuania Chamber Orchestras and has performed solo concerts in USA, Switzerland, Austria, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Germany, South Africa, Israel, France and Spain. She has also performed on several occasions with the “Voice of Music”, an Israeli broadcast radio. Since 2013 Danielle has joined the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra on tours to Japan and Brazil. Danielle is currently a member of Las-Colinas Symphony Orchestra and Odysseus Chamber Orchestra.


ABOUT MCKINNEY PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

The McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra was founded by Artistic Director Jason Lim as the Odysseus Chamber Orchestra in May 2012 in Denton, Texas. The orchestra consists of professional classical musicians from the Dallas/Fort Worth area dedicated to deepening, strengthening and broadening the organization’s relationship with the communities it serves through music.

Its successful inaugural performance featured local soloists such as Christopher Deane, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Texas. Soon after, Jason commissioned the world premiere of “Breathe” by Brad Robin. The orchestra then embarked on innovative collaborations such as: staging a full ballet performance of Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf” with the Denton City Contemporary Ballet; the North Texas premiere performance of Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” with ae:mp Amity Perry and Company; teaming with world renowned double bassist Jeff Bradetich to feature the Tango music of Astor Piazzolla; and a collaboration with legendary guitarist Andy Timmons. In 2018, the orchestra shared the stage with Grammy Award-winning Polka band, Brave Combo – a performance which is back in 2019 by popular demand!

In its short history, the orchestra has garnered a growing national reputation as an emerging ensemble, winning second and third prizes in the American Prize Competition for professional orchestras in 2014 and 2015, respectively. In 2016, the orchestra was awarded the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for excellence in performing American Music.

In addition, the orchestra has supported local service clubs like the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club and the Robson Ranch Kiwanis Club, and sponsored events such as the Eliminate Project Cruise and the Passing of the Banner Dinner. In recent years, it has expanded its outreach by providing free chamber music series concerts, free amenity concerts in neighborhoods, educational school performances and collaborating with the Arts and Music Guild to organize the Summer Music Intensives.

In 2017, exciting new programs were launched such as the Young Artist Viola Competition – the first of its kind in North Texas; the Mentorship Program, which provides high school orchestra students the opportunity to rehearse and perform side-by-side with members of the professional orchestra; and the Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra.

In 2019, the organization changed its name to the McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) to better reflect its growing ties with and support received from the City of McKinney.

our sincerest thank you to our supporters! · 2021. 2. 6. · (katrina cain), ’linger’ (greater...

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