"Catch a Rising Star" is the title of the opening concert of the 2011-2012 season of the Terre Haute Symphony. That rising star is violinist Stephen Kim, playing the Sibelius Violin Concerto.
A High School-Aged Soloist
Kim is a contest- and award-winning fifteen-year-old from California. Friends told the symphony's artistic director David Bowden that he just had to engage Kim. "He's an amazing young player," Bowden says. "It's not just because of his technical skill. He also deeply feels and understands the music, and is a wonderful partner for the symphonies that he's played with as well."
Along with the concerto the concert offers Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks by Richard Strauss, and an Overture to the Season by the symphony's resident composer, Dan Powers. Bowden is enthusiastic about the whole program, particularly Powers' overture. "It's a delightful, airy piece that we played and that I've taken to share with other orchestras."
...And Free Tickets For High School-Aged Listeners
In addition to featuring a high school-aged soloist, the symphony has a special invitation for area high school students. "We'll have free tickets for any area high school student who shows an ID card," says Bowden. And he adds, "We're also encouraging peoplefamilies, kids, and babiesto come join us for a free preview concert at two in the afternoon, the day of the concert."