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<\/a><\/p>\nJessica Pope
\nCommunications Specialist<\/p>\n
VALDOSTA \u2014 The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra\u2019s (VSO) live performance of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky\u2019s Fifth Symphony has won the 2014 American Prize in Orchestral Performance.<\/p>\n
Dr. Howard Hsu, VSO music director, said, \u201cIt is extremely gratifying for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra to receive national recognition. We have long believed that we have an excellent orchestra in this region, so to have it confirmed by a national panel of our peers proves that we have something special happening here in Valdosta.\u201d<\/p>\n
The American Prize in Orchestral Performance recognizes and honors the very best performances by orchestras in America. All applicants had to submit a recording of a live, unedited performance to be considered for recognition, Hsu explained. The VSO selected the Tchaikovsky piece from its 24th season. Fans may recall the September 2013 performance on Valdosta State University\u2019s Whitehead Auditorium stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the first time we have competed,\u201d Hsu said. The VSO won top prize in the Community Orchestral Division.<\/p>\n
Judges for the American Prize in Orchestral Performance noted that the VSO \u201cplays with excellent intonation and balance\u201d and \u201cthe individual wind and brass players are of high quality and play with a lovely tone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Created in 1990, the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra serves both the cultural life of Valdosta and the regional academic mission of Valdosta State University. The high standard of performance of the orchestra enables it to attract guest soloists of both national and international renown to the Valdosta community. Its membership is a rather unique blend of resident artist-faculty, students studying professional music disciplines, carefully selected professionals from a five-state region, as well as a few talented community performers. Supported by an advisory board of directors, the Valdosta Symphony Guild, Valdosta State University, corporate sponsors, along with hundreds of individual patrons, the orchestra has become an important part of the cultural life of the entire region.<\/p>\n
Contact Dr. Howard Hsu at hphsu@valdosta.edu<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n On the Web:<\/p>\n www.valdostasymphony.org<\/a><\/p>\n www.theamericanprize.org<\/a><\/p>\n