February 21, 2008
University Symphony, Seattle Symphony to perform side by side Feb. 22
The UW School of Music will mark a first in its history when the University Symphony joins the Seattle Symphony in a side-by-side performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in Meany Theater. The combined groups will perform Mahler’s majestic First Symphony, conducted by University Symphony Music Director Peter Eros.
Eros will begin the program with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, featuring the University Symphony and doctoral piano student Rie Ando. Seattle Symphony will join the University Symphony for Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in the second half of the program. The concert is free and open to public.
Rie Ando is a doctoral student at the UW School of Music, studying with Professor Craig Sheppard. A native of Japan, she began studying piano at the age of 3 and spent 19 years studying at the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, completing the children’s music program, high school program and eventually earning a bachelor’s degree of music in piano performance. She holds a master of music degree in piano performance from Western Washington University and also earned an artist’s diploma from the International Workshop of Interpretation in Radzyn, Poland.
A resident of Washington State since 1997, Ando has performed recitals throughout the state as well as in Poland, Japan and California. Among Ando’s many honors, she was the 2005 recipient of the Helen Crowe Snelling Scholarship from the Seattle Musical Art Society, won the Gold County Piano Institute Competition in Nevada City, California; the Bellingham Music Club Competition; and the Western Concerto Competition.
“It will be both an honor and a lasting inspiration for our students to perform, side by side, with members of Seattle Symphony,” says Robin McCabe, Director of the School of Music. “This is certain to be an exciting collaboration and a milestone event in the life of the School.”
For more information about the performance, call 206-543-1186 or visit www.music.washington.edu.
