Ashland Symphony Orchestra

“The Jewel of Ashland County”

40th Anniversary Season

Arie Lipsky, Music Director/Conductor

“Ruby Anniversary Celebration”

Saturday, September 26, 2009 - 7:30 p.m. - McDowell Auditorium

Press Release - For Immediate Release

The Ashland Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Arie Lipsky, opens its 40th anniversary season Saturday, September 26, 2009 with a "Ruby Anniversary Celebration."  The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in McDowell Auditorium.

"We've had several requests to begin the concerts a little earlier, so this season all subscription series concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.," according to Executive Director Monica Stine.

The evening will open with the first movement of Bach's Concerto for Two Violins, featuring Aaron Berofsky and Julie Castor.  In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Felix Mendelssohn's birth, Mr. Berofsky will then join the orchestra for Mendelssohn's Concerto for Violin.  The program will conclude with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4.

Violinist Aaron Berofsky has toured extensively throughout the United States and abroad, gaining wide recognition as a soloist and chamber musician. He is the concertmaster of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and has been the first violinist of the Chester String Quartet since 1992.  Known for his commitment to teaching, Mr. Berofsky is Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan and Visiting Professor at the Hochschule fur Musik in Detmold, Germany.  This is Mr. Berofsky's second appearance with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.

A native of Ashland, violinist Julie Castor recently performed at Carnegie Hall alongside members of the New York Philharmonic, MET Opera Orchestra and Philadelphia Orchestra in the Mahler for the Children of AIDS concert.  She was a prizewinner of the Tuesday Musical Association Scholarship Competition and the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition.  Ms. Castor is a degree candidate at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Isaac Malkin.  This marks Ms. Castor's debut as a soloist with the Ashland Symphony Orchestra.

A "Ruby Anniversary Celebration" is made possible by the generous support of Packaging Corporation of America, underwriter for the evening's concert.  Mr. Berofsky and Ms. Castor are sponsored by Samaritan Regional Health System and O.E. and Betty J. Hawkins.  Patrons are invited to join Maestro Lipsky, Mr. Berofsky, Ms. Castor, musicians and friends backstage for a reception immediately following the concert.

All seats for the concert are reserved.  Tickets may be purchased by calling the Ashland University Box Office at 419-289-5125, noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, or they may be purchased at the McDowell Box Office the evening of the concert beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Season ticket holders who are unable to attend are urged to release their seats by calling the Symphony Office at 419-289-5115.

Season tickets and sampler series tickets are still available.  Patrons are encouraged to purchase subscriptions directly from the Symphony Office 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.

Patrons may avoid steps to McDowell Auditorium by using the Cottage Street entrance to the Middle School.  Please notify the ASO Office if you need assistance parking or entering the theatre, to discuss special needs, or to request additional information concerning the facilities.