Orchestral Brilliance: Three Virtuosi (matinee)

Type: Music

This Event: May be of interest to the LGBTQ community

“Our orchestra is truly top notch — and when they play, you get the feeling it’s not just their job, it’s their passion. This concert throws focus on the musicians of the Madison Symphony, both collectively, and individually. This year we feature more than one artist, with the spotlight shining on three remarkable members, all soloists in their own right — Concertmaster Naha Greenholtz, Principal Clarinetist JJ Koh, and Principal Tubist player Joshua Biere. Their virtuosity exemplifies the depth of talent that is characteristic of the musicians in our orchestra. Because I have spent such a large part of my life performing works by George Gershwin, and most notably his opera Porgy and Bess, I’ve specifically chosen his great tone poem, An American in Paris, which is another personal favorite of mine — as a vehicle to showcase the orchestra in all its brilliance. Another great classical hit, Schubert’s Unfinished, opens the program.” – John DeMain

About our solists…

Naha Greenholtz
Naha Greenholtz is concertmaster of both the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Additional performance highlights include guest concertmaster appearances with the Oregon Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, National Ballet of Canada, Omaha Symphony, and Memphis Symphony, among many others. Additionally, she performs frequently with the Cleveland Orchestra both domestically and abroad. Ms. Greenholtz has also held positions with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, joining the latter as Associate Concertmaster at age 21.

Ms. Greenholtz has participated in prominent music festivals throughout the US and Europe including Kneisel Hall (Maine), Taos (New Mexico), Spoleto (Italy), Lucerne (Switzerland), and the New York String Orchestra Seminar at Carnegie Hall. She was recently named Artistic Director of Davenport, Iowa’s acclaimed Signature Series, a chamber music festival dedicated to bringing world class performances to the Davenport metro area.

JJ Koh
JJ Koh joined the Madison Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinet in 2016. In addition, he holds a position with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Prior to joining the MSO, JJ was a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He has performed with Toronto Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic, New World Symphony, and ProMusica Chamber Orchestras as well as the Lexington Philharmonic.

Mr. Koh is a founding member of the Arundo Donax Reed Quintet, a winner of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. As principal clarinetist of KammerMahler, JJ participated in a world premier recording project, which featured chamber versions of Gustav Mahler’s Fourth and Ninth Symphonies. He also premiered Kaleidoscope by Perry Goldstein, which was recorded through New Dynamic Records.

Joshua Biere
Josh Biere joined the Madison Symphony Orchestra as principal tubist in 2013. He also holds the principal tuba chair with the Kenosha (WI) Symphony and regularly performs with the new Chicago Composers Orchestra. Mr. Biere has also performed at the Grant Park Music Festival (Chicago), and with the St. Paul (MN) Chamber Orchestra. An established chamber musician, Mr. Biere plays in numerous ensembles and in dozens of venues in the Chicagoland area, and has soloed with many groups and given numerous recitals throughout the region. He is a highly sought after clinician and teacher, maintaining a studio of well over thirty-five tuba and euphonium students.

BUY SINGLE TICKETS
Online, or visit or call the Overture Center Box Office, 201 State St., (608) 258-4141