Redlands Symphony Performs Beethoven And Bruch In Concert

REDLANDS>> Maestro Ransom Wilson will conduct the Redlands Symphony in a concert featuring the music of Ludwig von Beethoven and Max Bruch on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 in Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Redlands. The program will feature violinist Miguel Aquirre, winner of the 2016 University of Redlands School of Music’s annual Concerto Competition, performing Burch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. with a pre-concert talk by Wilson starting at 7:30 p.m. The evening’s program begins with Beethoven's Fidello Overture. The Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 performed by Miguel Aguirre will follow and Beethoven's popular Symphony No. 7 will complete the program. “The Violin Concerto by Burch is the composer’s most popular composition,” Wilson said. “It has been played regularly around the world by some of the great violin soloists; and now, Miguel Aguirre, here with the Redlands Symphony, will give the piece his own youthful vitality.” “This concert is another example of the valuable partnership between the Redlands Symphony and the University of Redlands,” noted Paul Ideker, the Symphony’s President & CEO, “Each year the very best student from the University’s School of Music is invited to perform with our orchestra as soloist, a tremendous opportunity for a young musician. We’re very proud to be able to support young musical artists like Miguel as they continue their journey towards a career in music.” Violinist Miguel Aguirre is the 2016 winner of the University of Redlands School of Music Concerto Competition. The competition is 39 years old and was started in 1987. Aguirre is only the second violinist to win the competition. There were seven finalists in this year’s contest and originally 18 students entered the competition. Many previous winners have gone on to a professional career in music including Angel Blue (international opera star), Craig Colclough (LA Opera), Esther Back (San Bernardino Symphony), Miles McAllister (Santa Barbara Symphony) and Ryan Shookman (Julliard and the Paris Conservatoire). Aguirre is a native of Southern California with a variety of experiences in performing and teaching. He first began his studies with the late Victoria Shapiro before continuing his training and education with a full scholarship at Cal State Northridge and a fellowship at the University of California Los Angeles. He graduated CSU Northridge with a Bachelor of Music with Latin Honors and University of California Los Angeles with a Master’s in Music with Latin Honors. His previous teachers include Michael Ferril, Todor Pelev, Movses Pogossian and Guillaume Sutre. He is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the University of Redlands and is a student of Artist Professor of Violin, Jeanne Skrocki. As a seasoned orchestral player, he has been section violinist in the American Youth Symphony under Alexander Treger as well as Co-Concertmaster of the University Symphony at Northridge and concertmaster of the International Virginia Waring Piano Competition and Riverside Opera Institute. He is currently a section violinist at Corona Symphony Orchestra and Concertmaster of the University of Redlands Orchestra. Through his various orchestral experiences, he has been able to collaborate with artists such as Chris Botti, Natalie Cole, David Newman, Alan Sylvestri, and Lynn Harrell. In addition to his various orchestral experiences, Aguirre has also been the recipient of various awards and competitions such as the Music Department Achievement Award, Manuel Compinsky Scholarship, and the winner of the annual Concerto Competition at Cal State Northridge where he performed Barber’s Violin Concerto under John Roscigno. He has also played in various masterclasses including for Robert Lipsett and Jacques Israelivitch. Aside from his accomplishments in performance and orchestral playing, Aguirre also has a passion for teaching violin and chamber music. In a short residency period in Northern California at the U Music School in Fremont, he coached various chamber groups who have gone on to win local competitions in the area. Tickets, start at $15 and are available online at www.redlandssymhony.com or by calling the box office at (909) 587-5565. Tickets can also be purchased on concert night at the door.