Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the Yale Symphony Orchestra (YSO) will open the 1995-96 season under the direction of a new music director and conductor, Shinik Hahm. Currently an associate professor at Yale, Hahm made an appearance at Lincoln Center in New York last year. He also serves as Music Director of the Green Bay Symphony in Wisconsin.
"Shinik Hahm is an up-and-coming young conductor who wants to make this the premier college orchestra in America. This is the best orchestra I've heard in the four years I've worked here," YSO Manager Deborah Gaulrapp said.
Hahm has been enforcing strict attendance rules so far this season. "He's very concerned about our performers. He's pushing us in a good way. [The attendance rules] are very good for the orchestra," flutist Sarah Paine, SY '98, said.
The orchestra plans to hold some special events in commemoration of their 30th year. A November concert will feature a special guest, mezzosoprano Frederica von Stadle. Former YSO leader Alaistair Neale will be conducting a concert in December.
Orchestra performers will help to choose their own musical selections this year. "At the end of last year, performers were given surveys to select which pieces and composers they would like to play. Over the summer, Hahm has been setting up a program. We have a lot of input in what music we play," Paine said.
The YSO's first performance will be during Parents Weekend in October.
-- Santosh Aravind
Copyright 1995, The Yale Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
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