String Festival Underway! http://ping.fm/7vrwI

Our String Competition is Underway!

Dr. Donald Portnoy and Rachel Barton Pine are pleased to be conducting a String Festival this weekend.  Various Orchestra's from Tennessee, Charleston, Columbia and Irmo are in attendance.  The students have been exposed to wonderful instruction and magnificent music.  Here Rachel Barton Pine kicks off the weekend with an informal discussion of music prior to our first performance of the season.  The students and their respective schools are very excited abou this unique opportunity. Check out what Dutch Fork High School said here.
Today we have hosted some of the finest violinists in the world!  These violinist's have traveled from inside the United States and from far away countries such as China.  The competitors submitted auditions through CD's and the field narrowed to the group of violinist who competed today.  The group has been narrowed to five.  These will participate in a final competion tomorrow and the winner announced tomorrow afternoon!  The Symphony, along with the area high school orchestra's will perform at 3:30pm in the Koger Center for the Arts.  
Click here to hear one of our rehearsals.

Rachel Barton Pine wows audiences! See photo's here: www.facebook.com/USCSymphony

Unbelievable rehearsal last night w Rachel Barton Pine! Tickets f tonight are still available at http://ping.fm/Zy558 Don't miss out!

Everyone is gearing up for our 1st performance tom night & dress rehearsal tonight! Tickets are still available @ http://ping.fm/erwiW

Behind the scenes pictures of rehearsal. http://ping.fm/xyRkF?aid=24486&id=147139065308588 Come hear us Thursday night!

USC Symphony is Rehearsing and Preparing for September 23rd Performance!

The University of South Carolina School of Music is home to many wonderful aspiring musicians!  Practice rooms are filled with chairs, stands, instruments and eager students who are serious about delivering an initial performance that will wow the audience!  The USC Symphony Orchestra in particular is gearing up for it's first performance of the season this coming Thursday, September 23rd at 7:30pm at the Koger Center for the Arts.


Dr. Portnoy is his usual self, encouraging dynamics and close attention to detail as he leads rehearsals and guides the participants through each measure of music.  Students are excited to be there-working hard-but taking a break from studying marketing, engineering and pharmacy.  


A special guest violinist, Rachel Barton Pine, will join the orchestra.  Rachel was a child prodigy at age 7 with unbelievable skil.l She has performed with "Zubin Mehta, Erich Leinsdorf, Placido Domingo and Charles Dutoit to name a few." Rachel enjoys all types of music and enjoys helping all generations enjoy classical music.  Click here to read more about Rachel's Story.


This "Star-Spangled Banner" performance will feature Rachel along with the Symphony Orchestra performing  Scottish Fantasy, op.46 by Bruch.  The Orchestra will also perform Festive Overture, op.96 by Shostakovich, and Enigma Variations, op.36 by Elgar.  Set to be a wonderful night with excellent music, you will not want to miss this opening performance of the 2010-2011 season.


Click here for information on ticket availability and pricing as well as information on a seating chart.  We look forward to seeing you next week and be sure to wear your patriotic red, white or blue!