Special to 1812Blockhouse
Acclaimed conductor Katherine Kilburn is no stranger to Mansfield’s professional orchestra – her husband, Octavio Más-Arocas, is the Music Director of the Mansfield Symphony – but she doesn’t often get to enjoy its performances from the podium, as she will when she takes the stage at the symphony’s Family Pops concert this month.
Dr. Kilburn, a well-respected musician, conductor, and educator in her own right, will guest conduct the Mansfield Symphony for its live “Operation Bridge Building” education concerts on October 21 and 22, as well as lead the orchestra at the Pops concert on the 23rd. Currently, Maestra Kilburn is serving as Assistant Director of Orchestras for the Michigan State University College of Music, previously having led orchestral programs at Cornell University and Kent State University.
As a recipient of the Thelma A. Robinson Conducting Award, Dr. Kilburn has been Assistant Conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra, the El Paso Opera, the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Bowling Green State University Philharmonia, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, as well as Conductor of the Interlochen Arts Academy Wind Ensemble and numerous others. Ms. Kilburn assisted Sir Simon Rattle for performances of Peter Grimes at the Salzburg Easter Festival, and toured with world-renowned clarinetists David Shifrin and Alexander Fiterstein. A champion of new music, she has conducted numerous world and USA-premieres, conducted at Lincoln Center in New York City, and has been involved in several premiere recordings including some on the Naxos American Classics/Milken Archive label.
“I am thrilled to be returning to conduct the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra for what promises to be an exhilarating Halloween Pops Concert with all time favorites like E.T. and the Sound of Music,” said Dr. Kilburn. “It’s always great to come back to this wonderful city full of charm and culture, and to be a part of bringing live music to this vibrant and appreciative community.”
The Family Pops concert will feature the winner of the symphony’s 2020 “Mash-Up” singing contest, Audrey Lee-Strohm, who currently teaches voice and piano at Richland Academy of the Arts and is a 2016 graduate of Bowling Green University with majors in Film Production and Vocal Music, as well as a former singer with the Ohio Light Opera. Also on the program are popular pieces such as “Skyfall” from James Bond, “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables, and other favorites. Starting at 7:00 PM all are welcome to enjoy an “Instrument Petting Zoo” presented by Metronome Music in the lobby of the Renaissance Theatre prior to the start of the concert.
This concert is made possible by Renaissance Theatre Symphony Series presenter OhioHealth, with additional support from Metronome Music. The Operation Bridge Building program is made possible by the Rupp Donor-Advised Fund of the Richland County Foundation, and the Gimbel Foundation.
For tickets to the Mansfield Symphony Family Pops concert, visit https://bit.ly/MSFamilyPops, or call the box office at 419-522-2726 ext. 200.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
