MEDIA ADVISORY

Public Invited to Free Concert, Classes Conducted by Guest, Student Conductors

Aiken, SC (06/07/2019) — The public is invited to attend the 2019 Conductors Institute of South Carolina concert, June 17, at 11 a.m., in room 125 of the Etherredge Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina Aiken.

The free concert, will be conducted by the institute's participants and performed by professional musicians and members of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra.

For the last 40 years, Donald Portnoy, director of the institute and conductor of the Aiken Symphony Orchestra, has offered both a 15-day and an 11-day workshop for budding and veteran conductors alike.

"I know of nowhere else in the United States where students can receive daily, on-the-spot training in front of a professional ensemble for two weeks," said Kate Tamarkin, a former Conductors Institute of SC attendee.

As part of the program, attendees will have the opportunity to conduct groups of musicians, ranging in size from quartets to symphonies. Participants honing their professional skills will also conduct the Aiken Symphony Orchestra.

"I find it to be the best conceived and executed of the many workshops and training classes currently available to young conductors. Each conductor receives a significant amount of podium time, working with a first-rate professional orchestra on both standard repertoire and new works by living American composers, said Paul Vermel, conductor emeritus of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra.

"Whether these conductors become professional music directors of orchestras, performing musicians, or music teachers, the training provided at the Conductors Institute is immensely valuable to them."

Guest conductors and composers for the 2019 series include Victoria Bond, composer and conductor; Neil Casey, conductor; Dick Goodwin, composer; Peter Jaffee, conductor; David Kirkland Garner, composer; and Portnoy.

The public can sit in on any of the classes, during which workshop attendees will be conducting, June 10 - 22, from 9 a.m. - noon, in room 125 of the Etherredge Center on the University of South Carolina Aiken campus.

The Conductors Institute of South Carolina is one of the longest running events of its type in the United States, according to organizers. Some in the industry consider this event a "must do" for both young, aspiring and experienced conductors.

Editor's note: Media are invited to cover any of the classes June 10 - 14 and the free concert June 17. Those interested are asked to e-mail: news@usca.edu .