DENVER (Sept. 18, 2017) — The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra led by DPO Music Director Dr. Lawrence Golan is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the 1st place prize in the Community Ensemble category of the first annual Ictus International Music Competition. The competition drew ensembles from Washington State all the way to Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.
The five-person Ictus jury based its decision on DPO’s May 25, 2017 performance of Ottorino Respighi: Pines of Rome.
“This ensemble is excellent with wonderful players, led by a terrific conductor,” commented Jury member Mark Scatterday, conductor of the renowned Eastman Wind Ensemble.
“Wonderfully moving performance. Fantastic dynamic range with exceptional soft artistic playing,” said judge Dr. Scott Nelson. “I wish I could have heard it live!”
In his fifth season as DPO Music Director, Golan says he is pleased that the orchestra’s continual hard work is paying off, adding that it’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by this prestigious competition. “We at the Denver Philharmonic have been widely praised for our community outreach, record-breaking ticket sales and Emmy award-winning marketing,” said Dr. Golan. “It is wonderful to now be recognized for our artistic achievements as well!”
The DPO’s award-winning performance of Pines of Rome is available for viewing on its YouTube channel.
After selling out its last ten concerts, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra opens its 70th Season with Oktoberfest on September 29, 2017.
The jury consisted of the following members:
- Dr. Mark Davis Scatterday, conductor of the renowned Eastman Wind Ensemble;
- Stilian Kirov, recipient of a Georg Solti Career Assistance Grant, conductor of Symphony in C in New Jersey and the Bakersfield Symphony in California, former Associate Conductor at the Seattle Symphony, and past assistant/cover conductor at the Chicago Symphony and Boston Symphony;
- Jan Wagner, winner of the 1994 Leopold Stokowski Competition and 1995 Malko Competition, former conductor of the Odense Symphony in Denmark, a former assistant/cover to Kurt Masur at the New York Philharmonic;
- James M. Stephenson, award-winning composer whose music has been performed by the Boston Pops, St. Louis Symphony and President’s Own Marine Band, and has been praised by the Boston Herald as “straightforward, unabashedly beautiful sounds,” suggesting “Stephenson deserves to be heard again and again!”
- Dr. Scott Nelson, 2nd Trumpet at the Maryland Symphony, Principal Trumpet in the Ocala Symphony (FL), and former conductor of the Shenandoah Conservatory Wind Ensemble (VA) for 21 years.
About the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra
The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra (DPO) is a nonprofit symphony orchestra founded in 1948 by Dr. Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic orchestra. DPO concerts are accompanied by “More Than Music” events designed to fulfill the orchestra’s mission to continually redefine the way our community engages with and experiences classical music. Metro Denver citizens support DPO through the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. More information is available by calling 303-653-2407 or online at www.denverphilharmonic.org.
About Ictus Music Competition
The world “ictus” defines the moment in music where the pulse occurs. Ictus International Music Competition feels that the many music educators, conductors, students, and performers in ensembles at the University, Community, Youth Ensemble, High School and Middle School levels make up a large part of the pulse that keeps the art of music alive. They were founded to help these ensembles get noticed.