The UWM Symphony Orchestra will conclude its 2023-24 season with a finale concert at Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.
The performance is centered on Beethoven’s Triple Concerto, a musical work that combines solo instruments with a full orchestra. The piece will feature solos from pianist Jean-Louis Haguenauer (Professor, Indiana University), cellist Adrien Zitoun (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra), and violinist Bernard Zinck (Associate Professor, UW-Milwaukee). The orchestra is conducted by Dr. Jun Kim (Associate Professor, Instrumental Conducting, and Director, Orchestral Activities).
“Composers often face issues of sonic balance and ambiguity of musical roles when working with the piano trio,” said Dr. Kim. “However, Beethoven avoids complicating the matter further by allowing his trio ample breathing room, often playing alone or with only minimal accompaniment from the orchestra.”
The concert will also feature Symphony No. 5 by Ralph Vaughn Williams.
UWM’s orchestra is comprised of graduate and undergraduate music majors and brings in professors and outside professionals to perform alongside students.
“It is a pleasure to play with our students and share this musical experience,” said Professor Bernard Zinck. “Some of them are graduating, so it is a little bit like a musical farewell from us to them, and also from them to their peers and friends.”
In 2024, the UWM Symphony delivered seven performances, many of which featured highly esteemed guests.
“The orchestra also featured a guest violin soloist, Julian Rhee, the Silver Medalist of the 2022 Indianapolis International Violin Competition,” said Dr. Kim. “Additionally, the orchestra had a concert titled ‘An Evening of Opera Arias’ with the new voice faculty member, Aaron Agulay.”
Through the years, the UWM Symphony has collaborated with UWM Choirs and hosted an annual Concerto Competition Concert. They have performed nationally, including at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Center. They have also been selected to perform at the National Conference by the College Orchestra Directors Association in Los Angeles.
More information and tickets are available on the PSOA Calendar.