HAMPTON ROADS, VA (Jan. 16, 2019) — Noted conductor and Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins will lead the Virginia Symphony Orchestra in concerts January 25 – 27 – the first Classics concerts of the New Year – featuring popular young violinist Sirena Huang in the music of Mendelssohn and Beethoven. An award-winning performer, Ms. Huang is also widely known for a TED talk she gave at the age of eleven which garnered more than 2.5 million viewers https://www.ted.com/talks/sirena_huang_dazzles_on_violin.
Currently music director of the Omaha Symphony, Mr. Wilkins is also principal conductor of the fabled Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, as well as Family and Youth Concert Conductor for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His guest conducting credits include leading the orchestras of Cleveland, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Dallas, the New York Philharmonic among others, in addition to his posts at the Hollywood Bowl and Boston.
Mr. Wilkins credits a performance by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for inspiring him to pursue a career as a professional conductor, while attending a youth concert as a student at Young Park Elementary in Norfolk (now Park Place Elementary).
Ms. Huang will join the Orchestra as soloist for one of the most popular violin concertos of all time – the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in e minor. Mr. Wilkins will round out the program leading a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
Performances will be Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, 8 p.m., at Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News; Saturday, Jan. 26, 8 p.m., at Chrysler Hall, Norfolk; and Sunday, Jan. 27, 2:30 p.m., at Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling 757.892.6366, visiting www.virginiasymphony.org or visiting the Virginia Symphony Box Office at 150 Boush Street, Suite 201, Norfolk, VA 23510 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. For group sales of 10 or more, call 757.213.1413.
The Friday, January 25 concert is sponsored by TCV Trust and Wealth Management and Associates in Dermatology. The Saturday, January 26 concert is sponsored by Norfolk Southern and Norfolk Waterside Marriott.
Sirena Huang has been the recipient of numerous accolades and awards. Most recently, in February of 2017, Sirena was awarded First Prize at the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition. Motivated by a deep wish to inspire peace and harmony with her music, Sirena has performed before world leaders, thinkers and humanitarians, including President Obama and Elie Wiesel. At age eleven, she gave a TED talk that garnered more than 2.5 million views. In 2006, she received the honor of playing for His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and thirty Nobel Prize Laureates at the World Peace Conference held in Petra. In 2007, under the invitation of former Czech Republic President Havel, she played in the Opening Ceremony of the “Forum 2000 World Conference” in Prague. In 2008, she was invited to perform during the ceremony in which the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity presented its Humanitarian Award to President Sarkozy of France.
Joining the VSO on the podium is Norfolk native and graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Thomas Wilkins. Wilkins studied at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston before embarking on highly successful career as an orchestral conductor. Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Thomas Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences. Following his highly successful first season with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Globe named him among the “Best People and Ideas of 2011.” In 2014, Wilkins received the prestigious “Outstanding Artist” award at the Nebraska Governor’s Arts Awards, for his significant contribution to music in the state. Wilkins is the current music director of the Omaha Symphony, a position he has held since 2005 and is also principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony.
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As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be – even as it approaches its 100th anniversary in 2020.
At the heart of the VSO’s narrative is innovation. In 1991 the VSO made a very bold move in appointing the gifted young American conductor JoAnn Falletta as its music director. Since then, the orchestra has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest arts performing organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events to educate, enlighten and entertain more than 100,000 residents and visitors each year. Recent innovations include health and wellness programs, including interactive therapeutic experiences for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. As it approaches its Centennial year, the Orchestra and its legions of fans look forward with anticipation as the VSO conducts a worldwide search for its next music director.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2019
Contact: Monica Meyer, Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Public Relations
Phone: 757.213.1431 | email: mmeyer@virginiasymphony.org
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