Symphony concert to feature celebrated musicians

The USC Symphony will hold a concert at 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday at the Koger Center, featuring a host of talented musicians.

Saxophonist Robert Young, violinist Vadim Gluzman and composer Robert Ward will all perform.

Symphony director Donald Portnoy has earned respect and recognition as a guest conductor with major and regional orchestras worldwide. A graduate of Juilliard, Portnoy received his master's from the Catholic University of America and his D.M.A. from the Peabody Conservatory.

Tuesday night's concert will mark the South Carolina premiere of Robert Ward's "Symphony No. 7." Ward is also the chairman of the Ditson Advisory Committee, which will present Portnoy with the Ditson's Conductor Award. Established in 1945, the award honors conductors for their commitment to American music. Previous recipients include Lenord Bernstein, JoAnn Falletta and James DePriest.

Performing on the violin will be international artist Vadim Gluzman. He will play Dvorak's "Violin Concerto, Op. 53."

Young will also play the saxophone. This South Carolina native has been playing since he was 11, attending the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities, where he was awarded with the Serena and Robert Blocker Award. Young is a second-year music education student and a member of the Excalibur Saxophone Quartet. The group recently performed at the 23rd International Navy Band Saxophone Symposium and at the 2003 North American Saxophone Alliance Regional Conference, placing second at the 2003 MTNA Regional Chamber Music Competition as well.

Young is the winner of the MTNA's National Woodwind Competition and placed first in the Southeastern Young Artist Woodwind Competition and the North Greenville Woodwind Competition. Studying under Clifford Leaman, Young intends to continue his studies in either Michigan or Ohio after graduation.

Tickets are available at the Carolina Coliseum Box Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or through the charge line at 803-251-2222. Tickets may also be purchased online at http://www.capitoltickets.com. Admission is $18 for the public, $15 for senior citizens and USC faculty and staff members and $8 for students. For more information, go to www.music.sc.edu/ea/orchestra.