Hendersonville Symphony’s Young Artist Competition Winners, 2010

The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the winners of the 2010 Young Artist Competition, held on Feb 7 at the Patton Auditorium at BRCC. This contest is in its fifteenth year and is open to high school students in several surrounding counties. The purpose is to showcase our young musicians, giving them a chance to perform for judges and to win the chance to perform with the Hendersonville Symphony. Thanks to the sponsorship of Thomas Shepherd and Son, cash awards are given to the three top students each year. The winning student is chosen to play with the Symphony.

Experienced judges provide comments to all contestants, encouraging and suggesting ways towards musical growth. There are many positive educational elements in this competition including memory work, stage presence, judgment skills, practice skills and the ability to interact musically with others.

The Hendersonville Symphony’s Education Committee works diligently to develop young instrumentalists from our area, to the end that, as adults, they will be good musicians and/or music lovers with a deeper appreciation of what music can add to life.

Kyle Decker, a pianist, won the first place this year. A junior at Hendersonville High, he began his piano studies at age six. Upon moving to North Carolina four years ago, he began lessons with Lynn Kitts. Under her guidance, he has received numerous accolades including first place in the Carolina Youth Symphony’s Young Artist concerto competition. He plays percussion with the Hendersonville High School symphonic band and piano with Hendersonville High’s Jazz Band. He lives in Horseshoe with his family. His performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue will be featured at the March 6 Hendersonville Symphony concert.

Kay Nakazawa took second place with her performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. She is a freshman at T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville. She has studied the violin for twelve years and has been a member of the Asheville-Buncombe Orchestra since 2005. This is her third season as the concertmaster of the ABYO and she currently studies with Mary Byrd Daniels. In addition to her music studies, she enjoys competing in the American Mathematics Competitions, long distance running, reading and participating in Mock Trial.

Vashti Baluch took third place playing a Mozart Piano Concerto. She was born in Kenya and has grown up in Dubai. At age 5 she started piano lessons and has been playing for 12 years. At age 6 she began flute studies. She also sings in the Chicora Voices choir in Greenville. She has attended the Csehy Summer School of Music in New York for the past six years. In Dubai Vashti has taught beginning piano and flute students and has accompanied solo instruments on piano. Her piano studies began with the Suzuki Method and on moving to North Carolina she studied with the late Peggy Hannan, and now studies with Frank Iogha.

Judges for the competition have many and varied music credentials. This year’s judges are Milton Crotts, Janice Murray, and Paul Statsky.

Ted McIrvine's CVNC review of the October 10 performance by
The Hendersonville Symphony

October 10th 2009

Open Instrumental Auditions – 2009/2010 Season

The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Announces Open Auditions for the 2009/2010 Season. For more information, visit our HSO Auditions page.

Open Vocal Auditions – 2009/2010 Season

The Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra Announces Open Vocal Auditions for Basically Berlin (Irving, that is!). For more information, visit our Vocal HSO Auditions page.

Ted McIrvine's review of the performances by the
Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra.

April 19, 2008 Concert Review
May 17, 2008 Concert Review
September 27, 2008 Concert Review
December 13, 2008 Concert Review
March 7, 2009 Concert Review

Dinner Dance/Auction to benefit the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra’s
Relocation to the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Hall

“Rendezvous Hollywood”, the 2009 Gala Dinner Dance and Auction to benefit the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (HSO), will be held on Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kenmure Country Club.

The annual Rendezvous Gala Dinner Dance and Auction is the premier fundraiser and social event of the year for the HSO. This year guests will dance to the music of the trio, “Top Hat”, during an evening out of the golden age of Hollywood, complete with a “Fred and Ginger” dance performed by local dance instructor, Paulette Cole, and partner.

This year’s gala theme is a collaborative effort of the HSO Rendezvous Board and some of Hendersonville’s local arts organizations. Among those involved are Sue Fertik, Al Jones, and Ann Valentine from the Hendersonville Little Theatre and members of the Arts Council of Henderson County. Props will be supplied by the Flat Rock Cinema to complete the Hollywood theme for the evening. Scott Treadway, Associate Artistic Director of Flat Rock Playhouse, will be the master of ceremonies.

Guests will enjoy looking over dozens of attractive items and gift certificates for goods and services up for bid in a silent auction. A live auction will be directed by Stan Shelley, owner of Shelley's Jewelry in Hendersonville. Among the live auction offerings will be a week’s vacation stay at a villa in Harbor Island in Beaufort, SC and the painting “Green River in Autumn” by local artist Joanie Covell.

The 2008 HSO gala netted nearly $24,000, which was used to support the 37th annual concert series during the 2008/2009 season. Funds from the gala also supported the symphony’s two youth orchestras, which have won wide acclaim for their performances.

“This year is a particularly important fundraising year for the HSO,” said HSO President, Don Hupe. “With the move to our new home at the Blue Ridge Community College Conference Hall for both practices and performances, the Symphony needs to offset the start-up costs involved.” Among the HSO’s larger purchases is a series of removable stage extensions that can be used to accommodate the entire 90+-piece orchestra and special guest artists.

The festivities begin at 6:00 pm on Saturday, April 18th at the Kenmure Country Club, and the ticket price is $100 per person with net proceeds going to benefit the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and its youth orchestras. Invitations have been mailed to past orchestra supporters. Additional invitations may be requested by calling George Alexsovich at 696-2343.

Press Release

Exciting Year in Store for the Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra

The Hendersonville Symphony Youth Orchestra (HSYO) is searching for a new director/conductor for the upcoming '07-'08 season. The June departure to Greensboro of Donald Walter, the 12-year leader of HSYO set in motion a process that will culminate in late September.

A Search Committee made up of HSYO parents and members of the Education Committee of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has been working through the summer and will select final candidates who will in turn lead the orchestra during a rehearsal in September. Evaluations will be collected from students and parents in addition to the committee members, making this selection process quite comprehensive.

Membership in HSYO is open to any student grades 8 and higher, up to age 21. There is no fee to participate in HSYO and no residency requirement. Young musicians from Henderson, Buncombe, Transylvania and Polk counties have been recent participants in this group which offers a full symphonic experience. The orchestra is sponsored by the HSO, and last season enjoyed a generous grant from Wachovia Bank. HSYO rehearses weekly on Monday evenings. Four concerts are presented each season in various venues including the Bo Thomas Auditorium and the Champion Hills Clubhouse.

Auditions for the new season of HSYO will be held on Monday, September 10, 6pm in the band room of East Henderson High School, located at 130 Upward Road in East Flat Rock.

The instruments that are used in the HSYO include flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, percussion, violin, viola, cello and bass. HSYO has a particular need at this time for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn players. For more information on auditions or membership is HSYO, please call the HSO office at 697-5884 or 890-4722.