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ASO proudly recognizes the current Adopt a Chair sponsors: (as of printing)

• Podium: Sponsored by Suzanne S. Brock • Principal Viola: Sponsored by Richard and Sandra Toye • Cello, third chair: Sponsored by Margaret Hodges • Principal Clarinet: Sponsored by Ann D. Corson • Principal Oboe: Sponsored by Julia and Dennis Watkins • Principal Bassoon: Sponsored by Suzanne S. Brock • Assistant Principal Clarinet: Sponsored in Honor of Akiko Lloyd • Principal Horn: Sponsored by Gerry and Diana Dreo • Principal Trumpet: Sponsored by Harriett G. McCune • Principal Timpani: Sponsored by Harriett G. McCune

The 2019-2020 Season marks the fifth year of the Adopt a Chair program, underwriting ten musician chairs, including the podium, seven Principals, one Assistant Principal, and one section player.

“Adopt a Chair” is a signature giving program designed to provide funding for each musician’s salary and long-term sustainable funding for our orchestra. ASO is a community supported orchestra, requiring the ongoing support of people willing to invest in the future of live music performance. As a part of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, ASO concert-goers demand and expect the highest quality music offered by world-class musicians. Through this program, contributors endorse and ensure that quality through multi-year sponsorships.

Sponsors have an opportunity to choose a specific instrument, receive special program recognition, and receive invitations to special events where they can meet and get to know the musicians holding the chair they have sponsored. This program provides an opportunity to learn about the orchestra from the inside out and to draw a closer relationship between the players and the audience.

“ON STAGE WITH THE ASO” REHEARSAL:

FEBRUARY 4, 2019

SPOTLIGHT SOCIETY

The Spotlight Society encourages ASO aficionados to support their favorite artist, or the artists of the season, with a gift that fits their budget. Individuals can designate their gift starting at $100 and will be recognized with the program or artist they choose to support, along with others who have given to the program. Corporate gifts can also be designated starting at $250.

The program does not exclude traditional guest artist sponsors who want exclusive acknowledgement of their support of a particular artist. Rather, it expands the options for donors, including supporters who might not be able to give at the level of exclusive sponsorship.

To give to your favorite artist and join the Spotlight Society, call 703-548-0885 or visit www.alexsym.org.

(Please indicate “Spotlight Society” in the personal note section when giving online.)

Kathleen Mulcahy is Director of Woodwinds and Assistant Professor of Clarinet at George Mason University. She performs regularly with the National Symphony and Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestras, and holds the position of principal clarinet with the Alexandria Symphony. Previously, Dr. Mulcahy was second and Eb clarinet with the Buffalo Philharmonic and Grant Park Orchestras, and instructor of clarinet at the State University of New York. She holds DMA and BM degrees from Ohio State University and an MM degree and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Her principal teachers have included James Pyne, Peter Hadcock, and Kenneth Grant.

Matthew Harding has been a member of “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. since 1998, and he was appointed the band’s solo cornetist in January 2000. Matthew is also a member of the ASO and the Washington Symphonic Brass. He regularly performs as a substitute musician with the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 2010 he was invited to join Elvis Costello to perform at the White House for the PBS broadcast of the The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honoring Sir Paul McCartney. He earned his Bachelor’s of Music and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music.

Dean Woods is the principal bassoonist of the U.S. Army Concert Band “Pershing’s Own,” where he has served since 2000. A graduate of The Interlochen Arts Academy and The Cleveland Institute of Music, Dean is a multiple prizewinner in the Gillet International Competition, and is currently principal bassoonist of the Alexandria and the Fairfax Symphonies. He has also performed as substitute bassoonist with the Atlanta Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his bassoon performances, Dean is the founder, musical director, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of The U.S. Army Band’s “Country Roads” Ensemble.

In addition to her position as the Concertmaster of the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Claudia Chudacoff recently completed her third one-year full-time contract as a member of the violin section of the National Symphony Orchestra. She is also the concertmaster of the National Gallery Orchestra, and in 2015 retired from her position as concertmaster of the U. S. Marine Band’s White House Chamber Orchestra, in which she served during four Presidential administrations. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C. she was the Assistant Concertmaster of the Louisville Orchestra. She has been a featured soloist numerous times with all four groups. Ms. Chudacoff performs extensively as a chamber musician, and is a sought-after chamber music coach with several area programs. In addition, she is the Director of the Chamber Ensemble of the College Park Youth Orchestra. Her primary teachers were Michael Avsharian in Ann Arbor and Sylvia Rosenberg and Zvi Zeitlin at the Eastman School of Music, where she received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees.

29 Bryan Bourne recently retired from the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band after nearly 30 years of service. He was a featured soloist on many concerts including six concert tours amassing over 200 solo performances of 35 different solo works. In addition to being principal trombone of the Alexandria Symphony, he holds the same position in the Washington Ballet, the Washington Concert Opera, and the Chesapeake Orchestra. He was second trombone with the Baltimore Opera Orchestra for 20 years. He has performed with the Kennedy Center Opera and Ballet Orchestras and the National Symphony Orchestra. Bryan Bourne teaches low brass and conducts the Brass Choir, Trombone Choir and coaches the brass chamber groups at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. As a founding member, he performs with Washington Symphonic Brass. Bryan has recently released his first solo CD entitled Transitions and has been selected to become a Bach Artist and Clinician. He received his B.A. in music from Indiana University and M.M. from Catholic University. Born in Montréal, Sophia Kim Cook pursued piano studies first at the Conservatoire de musique et d’art dramatique du Québec, and finishing at McGill University, Schulich School of Music, receiving both her Bachelors with Honours and Masters of Music there. Ms. Kim Cook is a sought-after pianist, having played for a myriad of soloists and ensembles, including the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, and for members of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. Sophia was invited to record a CD with the principal trombonist of the San Francisco Symphony, Timothy Higgins, which was released in spring 2013.

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