Converse Symphony Orchestra to Perform on March 17th

by Courtenay Mims, Class of 2004

The Converse Symphony Orchestra will be in concert at 8:00 pm on March 17, 2003 in historic Twichell Auditorium on the Converse College campus. Featured works on the program will include the Serenade for Strings, Op. 22 by Antonin Dvorak and Symphony in C Major by Georges Bizet.

Also featured will be the winners of the 2002 Concerto Competition. Converse College students compete every spring in order to be the featured artist that performs with the Symphony Orchestra the following spring. Instrumental candidates perform a concerto movement and vocalists perform an aria. “A panel of respected professional area musicians judge the competition,” said Paul Davis, conductor of the CSO for the past two years. “Two to three winners are chosen based on professionalism and musicianship.”

This year’s winners are Christy Marini, who will perform the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, Andrew Bolden, who will perform “Ah mes amis,” from the Donizetti opera Daughter of the Regiment, and Anna Steenerson, who will perform “Ah! je veux vivre,” from the Gounod opera Romeo and Juliette. To prepare for the concert, winners have two rehearsals with the orchestra, a final dress rehearsal, and then the concert.

“This event allows Converse College students to share their talents not only with other Converse College students but also to members of the Spartanburg community,” said Davis.