HHSO Chamber Music Institute

Performance Sponsor

HHSO YOUTH CONCERTO COMPETITION

The HHSO Youth Concerto Competition will be held at SoundWaves on Saturday, January 29, 2022. We are proud to present this concerto competition with the hope of inspiring a younger generation to pursue their goals in the world of classical music.

Joseph Gimbel has served as the Director of the Competition for 12 years, expanding the event to one of the largest regional competitions of its type in the Southeastern United States. Joe has assisted many competitors by giving them references for summer programs and recommendations for teachers and conservatories. Here is one of the many success stories of YCC winners.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Shannon Fitzhenry first auditioned for the 2010 HHSO Youth Concerto Competition as a 14-year-old violinist from Charleston and was selected as a finalist. She received 3rd prize in the 2011 Competition and won the Competition in 2012. Joe Gimbel remained in contact with her throughout her development, providing recommendations for summer festivals and conservatories. In high school Shannon won several competitions, including the Pacifica International Competition, which awarded her a 2-week internship with the Moscow Symphony. She also received two summer fellowships to the Aspen Music Festival and returned to Hilton Head as the inaugural soloist for Young Artist Performances. Ms. Fitzhenry was accepted at several conservatories, choosing to attend Peabody Conservatory (Baltimore, MD) on a full fellowship, studying with department chair, Herbert Greenberg. Her studies concentrated on orchestral repertoire. She was rewarded when she was chosen for three years as a Fellow at the Tanglewood Institute. In 2018, Shannon was invited to perform with the Boston Symphony Orchestra violin section in the Bernstein Centennial Gala Concert. Ms. Fitzhenry has held numerous Concertmaster positions, including Concertmaster of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and the Peabody Symphony Orchestra.

Upon completing her studies at Peabody, Shannon was hired as the Concertmaster of the El Paso Symphony, as well as the Principal second violinist of the Symphony in C Orchestra (Collingswood, NJ). She resides in Baltimore, playing frequently as a substitute in the Baltimore and Charleston Symphony Orchestras.

Shannon Fitzhenry

Founded and led by Judy Gimbel, the third annual Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute was held July 29th - August 8th at SoundWaves. It was staffed with an outstanding faculty: Connie Heard, Violin Professor at Vanderbilt University, Maria Sampen, Violin Professor at the University of Puget Sound, and Caroline Coade, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the University of Michigan. Felix Wang, Cello Professor at Vanderbilt University, served as Artistic Director. Sixteen terrific high school string musicians were selected via an audition process. They came from seven states: Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, and Arizona. In keeping with our reputation for southern hospitality, students were hosted in private homes. All their needs were met on-site by a wonderful committee who arrived at SoundWaves at 8 am and did not depart until the day’s activities were complete, usually well into the evening. Committee members were Susan Britansky, Sue Harter, Beth Corry, Geri Stringle and Lois Wilison, with able assistance from CEO Alan Jordan. Every square foot of space in SoundWaves was used. The intensive program included lots of practice time, private lessons (4 per student), daily quartet rehearsals and three master classes.

Students had ample opportunity to perform via several outreach concerts at the Sandbox Children’s Museum in Celebration Park, TidePointe, and the Cypress. The week concluded with two concerts at Soundwaves featuring the four student quartets, capped by a performance from The Chamber Music Orchestra composed of all 16 students and the four faculty members. Beethoven’s Quartet in G major, Op. 18, No. 2 never sounded better! Rest assured that the ten days were not all work and no play. There were lots of fun activities planned and plenty of social time. The CMI has booked an annual slot on the HHSO’s summer calendar. Hope to see you here next year!