In Friday’s (5/4) Bellingham Herald (Washington), Margaret Bikman writes, “Roger Briggs, artistic director of Whatcom Symphony Orchestra since 1995, steps off the podium for the last time Sunday, May 13, at Mount Baker Theatre. On April 25 at the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention, Briggs gave a heartfelt thank-you to the community for receiving a Mayor’s Arts Award. … Briggs plans to devote more time to his composition career. … Briggs recently received a major commission from the Shoals Symphony in Florence Ala.—where he was born—and that orchestra will premiere his work in December.” Whatcom Orchestra Manager Pat Nelson says Briggs “has been researching the music from that area, including Native American music, hymns and early jazz, to incorporate into the composition. During his tenure, Briggs founded the WSO Chamber Orchestra, established the ‘Music by American Composers’ commissioning series, helped pioneer an impressive educational outreach program that brings WSO musicians to school children throughout Whatcom County, and earned a prestigious programming award from the League of American Orchestras.”
Posted May 8, 2012
