“The freshly minted Women’s Orchestra of Arizona will give its debut concert on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Lincoln Heights Christian Church in Phoenix,” writes Kerry Lengel in Sunday’s (2/19) Arizona Republic (Phoenix). “The community orchestra features volunteer musicians ranging from talented teens to retired professionals. They will be playing selections by Vivaldi (‘The Four Seasons’), Grieg, Elgar and the French composer Élisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre. The group’s founder is conductor Livia Gho … artistic director for the Phoenix Women’s Chorus. ‘I always had the idea of starting a women’s orchestra,’ … Gho said. ‘One is to provide opportunities for women. Especially for young soloists, this will be their first big performing opportunity with an orchestra.’ … Gho’s mission with the Arizona Women’s Orchestra is also to cultivate female conductors and, in future concerts, to highlight the work of female composers.” Says Gho, “For this upcoming concert, we are getting the orchestra to be in the center of the room and having the audience sit around us.’ … Serving as Gho’s associate conductor … is … Cindy H. Petty, who currently leads the East Valley Youth Symphony and the Oregon Arts Orchestra.”
Posted February 22, 2017
