SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 9, 2015 (Gephardt Daily) – The Utah Symphony has announced the appointment of Madeline Adkins to the position of concertmaster. According to a press release, Adkins begins her appointment as concertmaster with the opening of the 2016-17 season in September 2016.
Adkins will perform as guest concertmaster in four Utah Symphony programs during the remainder of the 2015-16 season, including concerts featuring Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music at the Salt Lake Tabernacle in February 2016 and on tour with the Utah Symphony to the Krannert Center in Illinois and Carnegie Hall in April 2016.
“I am thrilled to welcome Madeline Adkins to the Utah Symphony as concertmaster,” said music director Thierry Fischer. “As we have all seen during this audition process, Madeline is an accomplished artist and an exceptional person. Her incredible talent, professionalism and leadership ability will fit perfectly in the culture of excellence we have at Abravanel Hall. I look forward to having her with us as we continue to grow and achieve our goals as a company.”
Adkins has performed as guest concertmaster on several Utah Symphony programs this season: in September she performed during the opening weekend of the Beethoven Festival featuring Beethoven’s symphonies No. 4, 5, 6, and 8, and in November she played on two programs: Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 paired with the world-premiere of Andrew Norman’s percussion concerto “Switch” and in concerts featuring works by Ravel.
“I am extremely excited with my appointment as the new concertmaster of the Utah Symphony. During my time with the orchestra, I was so impressed by the strong vision of Maestro Fischer and the passionate and committed playing of the musicians,” said Adkins. “The Utah Symphony has such a legacy of fine leadership, and I am honored to be a part of that. I look forward to sharing the stage with my new colleagues and to helping bring the joy of music and music education to the people of Utah.”
Adkins succeeds Ralph Matson as concertmaster. Matson was appointed concertmaster of the Utah Symphony in 1985. He will remain concertmaster through the end of the 2015-16 season, after which he will continue with the Utah Symphony as associate concertmaster.
“I had a chance to meet Madeline when she was out earlier this fall on her trial weeks. Barb and I ended up having a hike with her, which was a fun and typically Utah way to get acquainted,” said Matson, whose wife is Utah Symphony violinist Barb Scowcroft. “We have a number of mutual friends and everything I’ve heard is that she’s a wonderful person and a terrific player. I’m very much looking forward to working with her. Hearty congratulations on the appointment. I want to convey my warmest, best wishes for her future with the symphony.”
“We are delighted to welcome Madeline to the Utah Symphony/ Utah Opera family,” said interim president and CEO Patricia A. Richards. “We will benefit from her musical talent, leadership, enthusiasm and versatility. I am happy that we are continuing the great tradition of leadership in this important position for the Utah Symphony.”
Adkins has served as the associate concertmaster of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since 2005, after performing as assistant concertmaster from 2000-2005. She is also the concertmaster of the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra. Adkins has served as guest concertmaster of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, the Indianapolis and Oregon Symphonies, and the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra in Chicago, where she was featured in Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis. She won first prize in numerous competitions, including the Stulberg International String Competition, the ASTA National Solo Competition, and the New England Conservatory Concerto Competition, as well as second prize in the Irving Klein International String Competition.
