Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA to Feature National Young Artist Competition Winners
The VSO rings in the new year with the astounding Young Artist Competition gold medalists and audience favorite Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
Ezekiel Sokoloff, Finalist
Nikka Gershman-Pepper, Finalist
David Choi, Finalist
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA is proud to present the three gold medal winners from 2021s National Young Artist Competition as they make their VSO debut on January 22-23, 2022 at Skyview Concert Hall and via live stream. David Choi of Los Angeles, CA will perform Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Nikka Gershman-Pepper of Los Angeles, CA will perform Mercadante's Flute Concerto in E minor, 1st movement, and Ezekiel Sokoloff of Salt Lake City, UT will perform Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2, 1st movement. All three young artists were selected from a group of highly competitive entrants from across the nation, performing their selections in front of a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges in Vancouver, WA.
"Each year the competitors get better and better", said Executive Director Igor Shakhman. "Opening the competition nationally for the first time brought in some of the finest young musicians I have ever heard. Our audience will be astounded at the incredible talent on display."
The program also features the VSO performing Edward Elgar's fascinating and mysterious Variations on an Original Theme, Op. 36, popularly known as the Enigma Variations. Premiered in 1899, the work consists of a theme and 14 variations, each one inspired by a friend of the composers. Immediately popular and highly praised upon premiering, it established Elgar's international reputation.
A concert grand piano will be kindly provided for the event by Michelle's Piano Co.
Tickets to this audience-favorite program are available online or by phone at 360-735-7278. Every ticket can be used for in-person attendance or to watch live online through the Virtual Concert Hall.
What: Elgar's Enigma Variations
When: Saturday, January 22 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, January 23 at 3 p.m.
Where: 1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98685, or the VSO Virtual Concert Hall.
Tickets: Single tickets are $30. Available online or by calling 360-735-7278
The Saturday performance will begin at 7:00pm, with the celebrated VSO pre-concert show Da Capo, hosted by VSO Podcast host Ashley Johnson and VSO trombonist Greg Scholl, airing only on the live stream at 6:30pm. During intermission the live stream will feature special video programming. The Sunday performance will begin at 3:00pm, with the virtual live stream programming beginning at 2:30. In person audiences can attend a pre-concert talk with Greg Scholl one hour prior to the concert start time.
All ticket holders will receive a secure email link on Friday, January 21 in order to access the live stream performances.
Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.
Safety Precautions
To keep audience members, staff, volunteers and musicians safe, masks are to be worn at all times when inside the building regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, the VSO requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours for admittance into the concert hall.
About Salvador Brotons
Maestro Salvador Brotons returns for his 31st season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the VSO. In addition to the VSO, he has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears “Ciutat de Palma” (1997-2001, 2009-2013) and the Orquestra Sinfónica del Vallés (1997-2002). He is presently the Conductor of the Barcelona Symphonic Band. In 2005, he received the “Arts Council” award by the Clark County and The City of Vancouver as well as the Kiwanis Rose Award. He has guest conducted orchestras in countries such as the U.S., Israel, France, Germany, China, Poland, South Korea, Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia.
About The VSO
The VSO, now in its 43rd season, has been a cornerstone of Southwest Washington's arts community, providing symphonic music of the highest caliber in live performances and through music education in schools, concert halls, and throughout the community. For more information, please visit vancouversymphony.org.
About our Sponsors
The VSO is generously supported by individual donors, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, All Classical Portland, Oregon Public Broadcasting, The Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, The Columbian, Dick Hannah Dealerships, ENT.Office.org, IsaacDSmith.com, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Propel Insurance, MedicareHelpNow, Opsahl Dawson CPAs, New Blueprint Partners, Realvest Corporation, and Michelle’s Piano Co.
Tickets
- One ticket, two ways to watch! Join us in person, or tune into the live stream in our Virtual Concert Hall.
- Single tickets are $30
- Available online or by calling (360) 735-7278
- All current season ticket holders will receive a secure individualized email link in order to access live-stream of the performances
- Single tickets to view the live-stream are on sale now. A secure individualized email link will be emailed to each single ticket buyer.
- Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.
How to View the Concert
Viewing the online concert is very easy.
- Purchase tickets to receive link to secure online concert page and password.
- When it is time for the concert login to the live streaming event page and view the concert from anywhere with a computer and an internet connection.
DOWNLOAD CONCERT PROGRAM HERE
Make A Donation
Now, more than ever, your support for the arts is of utmost importance. We count on your support to keep live arts alive in our community.
VSO Pre-Show
The 2021-22 Concert Season welcomes back the critically acclaimed video series from the VSO! Hosted by Greg Scholl and Ashley Hall, this exciting pre-show will broadcast on the VSO concert live stream 30 minutes before the concert performance. Full of fascinating information about the repertoire and plenty of laughs, you won’t want to miss it!
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson has been with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since October of 2019. Since December of 2019 she has been the host and producer of The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Podcast, interviewing prominent VSO figures and guests as well as sharing past VSO performances in the special series VSO Encore. Ashley graduated from Western Washington University in 2013 with a degree in English Literature, and has been active in the Vancouver arts community for over 15 years. She was formerly the music director for the Young Slocum House Players in 2011, and has been on the Board of Pacific Stageworks Theater Company since August of 2019.
Outside of saying flowery things about recordings of classical music Ashley produces two other podcasts, acts and sings in community theater productions, and plays nerdy tabletop games with her husband Will Johnson (the superhero who keeps Skyview Concert Hall running). It’s also rumored that she’s the girl who answers the phone when you call the VSO office, but none can say for certain.
Greg Scholl
Greg Scholl has played trombone in the VSO since 1993 - he became principal trombone in 1995. He is also principal trombone in the Portland Columbia Symphony and the Newport Symphony. Greg also plays locally in the Portland Brass Quintet and the Portland Festival Symphony. He has performed with the Oregon Ballet Theater, the Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera, the Salem Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Chamber Orchestra, the Portland Symphonic Choir, the Willamette Master Chorus, and the Portland Gay Men's Chorus. He has performed with the Oregon Repertory Singers and the Portland Symphonic Choir. Greg was formerly second trombone in the Austin Lyric Opera.
Greg is the trombone and low brass instructor at Pacific University. He obtained a trombone performance degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Donald Knaub. Prior to that he studied with Peter Kline and David Brown in San Antonio, TX. Greg plays in the Portland modern jazz duo Dos Hermanos de Hale Bopp. He also plays guitar and trombone in a variety of styles with local bands and performers such as the Rhythm Dogs, Goombahttsi, and Elvis Presley Tribute Artist Justin Shandor.
After rejecting the millions of dollars people offered him to play the trombone, Greg obtained a law degree in 1995 from Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. During most business days he can be found practicing law as the director of the capital case team at the Metropolitan Public Defender. He enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, reading, camping and hiking, collecting things like Conan the Barbarian comic books, LP records, and concert recordings of the Grateful Dead, and being married to incredible principal bassoonist Margaret McShea. Their son Ben is now in college - he was practically raised at VSO rehearsals back in the day.