UGA ARCO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
HODGSON CONCERT HALL
Classical
Friday, April 4, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Hodgson Concert Hall
UGA Performing Arts Center
ARCO Chamber Orchesrta
Levon Ambartsumian, Artistic Director, conductor and soloist
Levi Wataka, Guest Conductor
James Kim, cello
Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola
PROGRAM
“Kanda “ for string orchestra Moderato relaxed feel Njane Mugambi
Levi Wataka, conductor
Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola
I. Allegro moderato
II. Romance
III. Rondeau (Tempo di Minuetto)
Levon Ambartsumian, violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola; Levi Wataka, conductor
Concerto for cello in C Major
I. Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro molto
Sinfonia # 29 in A Major, KV 201
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante
III. Menuetto
IV. Allegro con spirito
James Kim, cello
INTERMISSION
Karl Stamitz (1745 - 1801)
Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809)
W.A.Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Violin
Levon Ambartsumian, director
Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva
Lyu Lian
Sarah Nienhiser
Carlos Brena
Alexis Boylan
Andre Araujo De Souza
Jhonni Campos
Clarissa Tamara
Zeyu Yuan
Sarah Ling
Chelea Afful
Viola
Rogelio Bonilla Pedra
Wing Chin Liu
Bryan Johnson
Cello
Thomas LaMon
Gabriella McClellan
Zach Helms
Ian Koontz
Bass
Wueliton Zanelatto Dal Pont
Oboe
Alexander Herman
Carina Cardoso De Araujo
Horn
Josh Wood
Anleah Walker
Levon Ambartsumian, Franklin and Regent’s Professor of Violin at the University of Georgia, and formerly professor at the Moscow Conservatory (1978-1993) and Indiana University (1993-1995), is an internationally acclaimed violinist, winner of the 1977 International Violin Competition in Zagreb, the 1979 Montreal International Competition, and of the Soviet Violin Competition in 1981. Ambartsumian is a Merited Artist of Armenia and of the Russian Federation. He is the founder, conductor, and artistic director of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra, now based at the University of Georgia in Athens, USA. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he continues to perform and present master classes around the world. More than fifty compact discs have been released under different recording labels in the USA and Russia.
Levi Wataka’s conducting career is born of innovation and exploration. He grew up without access or exposure to instrumental art music in Nairobi, Kenya, which was formally introduced to him as a college student. Together with others, he set out to help improve the landscape in music education provision. This led to the establishment of several outreach, community and educational ensembles in his country. His passion for conducting was inspired by teaching and playing in these ensembles. Levi has studies with Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Denise Ham and Toby Purser through the annual George Hurst Conductors’ Course in Sherborne, England. Levi has also worked with tutors in Italy, Venezuela and U.S.A. He serves as principal conductor of the Nairobi Orchestra, and chairperson of the Nairobi Music Society. He has served as principal conductor with the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya, the Nairobi Children’s Orchestra, the Safaricom Youth Orchestra and the Kenya Conservatoire of Music orchestras. Levi has conducted choirs and orchestras in Tanzania, Scotland, Italy, Venezuela and Mauritius. This is his first time conducting in the USA, by kind invitation of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra. Levi enjoys working to build sustainable infrastructure for instrumental music programmes in schools, colleges and communities in Kenya, serving as a director of education for the Ghetto Classics programme. Levi is a founder member and patron of the Molo Rugby club, and serves on the board of directors for the Kamili Organisation for mental health, the Kenya Conservatoire of Music and the Mt. Kenya Academy.
James Kim has appeared as soloist with orchestras such as Boston Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, working with conductors David Zinman, Michael Sanderling, Alexander Shelley, Keith Lockhart, onstage at Carnegie Stern Auditorium, Zankel Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has given solo recitals at Carnegie Weill Hall, Greene Space, Seoul Arts Center IBK Hall, and Kumho Art Hall. His performances have been broadcasted on radio stations NPR and WQXR.
He has also collaborated with numerous orchestras in his native Korea, concertizing at Lotte Concert Hall—where he is the first soloist in its history—Tongyeong Concert
Hall, Daegu Concert House, Seoul Arts Center, and DITTO Festival. In 2021, Sony Classical released his album Death and Offering presenting works dedicated to him by Korean composer Shinuh Lee.
He is a recipient of Salon de Virtuosi’s Sony Career Grant and a top prizewinner of Isang Yun and David Popper International Cello Competitions. From 2016 to 2021, he performed on a Matteo Goffriller cello from Venice ca. 1715, generously loaned by Samsung Cultural Foundation and Stradivari Society® of Chicago, Illinois.
Native of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva graduated from Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory where she performed with Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory Symphony Orchestra under direction of such conductors as Zubin Metha, Pierre Boulez, Dmitry Kitaenko, Valery Gergiev, and many others.
Ms. Azimkhodjaeva was one of the founders of the ARCO Chamber Orchestra.
As a concertmaster and soloist, she performed extensively in Germany, France, Spain, Romania, Latvia, Russia, South Korea, Brazil, USA, and Canada.
She has recorded numerous CDs with music of Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, and many other contemporary composers.
Ms. Azimkhodjaeva’s numerous performances include solo appearances at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall , Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Teatro Sao Pedro in Brazil and Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory Concert Hall.
She has participated in international festivals such as Enesco Festival in Romania, FeMusik Festival in Brazil and Varna International Festival in South Carolina, USA
Her recent performance as a soloist was with Nairobi Symphony Orchestra in Kenya.
Scholarships and Graduate assistantships funded by donations to the Thursday Scholarship Fund make it possible for students to learn and pursue their passions at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Please consider a taxdeductible gift to the Thursday Scholarship Fund so we may continue to support our students and make their education possible. Scan the QR code now or reach out to Melissa Roberts at roberts@uga.edu or 706-254-2111.
SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL AREAS OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC
In addition to our primary Support and Scholarship Funds, many specialized areas of interest, including our orchestra and choral programs, have support and scholarship funds you can contribute to directly. You can now learn more about all the ways and areas you can support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Scan the QR code or visit music.uga.edu/giving-and-alumni to the support the Hugh Hodgson School of Music area of your choice.
JOIN THE DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
Gifts of all amounts are greatly appreciated. However, annual giving at the $1,500 level and higher provides membership in the Director’s Circle, our Hugh Hodgson School of Music Honor Roll. Director’s Circle members are invited to exclusive events and performances throughout the academic year.
For large gifts, please contact Melissa Roberts at roberts@uga.edu or 706-254-2111.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA HUGH HODGSON SCHOOL OF MUSIC.
MON 4/7
7:30 p.m.
Hodgson Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
MON 4/14
5:30 p.m.
Ramsey Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
ImaginePossibilities the
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE
Under the direction of Vicki Lu, several distinguished guest artists join this ensemble which features instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, hulusi and the yangqin.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA TUBA/EUPHONIUM ENSEMBLE
The UGA Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble provides a musical outlet for music majors and non-majors alike.
MON 4/14
7:30 p.m.
Hodgson Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
TUES 4/15
3 p.m.
Edge Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
TUES 4/15
7:30 p.m.
Ramsey Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BRITISH BRASS BAND
The British Brass Band, under the baton of Bandmaster Philip Smith, has become an Athens fan favorite. The repertoire encompasses a wide variety of styles including excellent original works, marvelous transcriptions of orchestral works, as well as marches and other light pieces.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA GUITAR ENSEMBLE
Edge is located in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, 250 River Road, Athens GA
UNIVERSITY
OF
GEORGIA OPERA THEATRE OPERA SCENES
UGA Opera Theatre presents “Opera in Bloom: Tales of Love and Longing.” Featuring graduate and undergraduate vocal students, this evening of scenes includes works by Mozart, Donizetti, Monteverdi, Gilbert & Sullivan, and more.
WED 4/16
6:00 p.m.
Mental Health
Resource Fair
Performing Arts Center
7:00 p.m.
Concert
Hodgson Concert Hall FREE CONCERT
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WIND SYMPHONY & SYMPHONIC BAND “BECAUSE OF YOU”
Through music, we heal, connect, and inspire. This concert is a celebration of strength, resilience, and the power of mental well-being. With a powerful lineup featuring works by composers like Flagello, Douglas, Pilsner, McAllister, Balmages, Kevin Day, Kelijah Dunton, Wayne Lu, Frank Ticheli, and Mark Camphouse, this performance will take you on a journey of hope, self-expression, healing, and light.