Violinist Andrew Sords Appointed Concertmaster of Mansfield Symphony Orchestra

Mansfield, OH (PRWEB) August 21, 2008 -- The Mansfield Symphony Orchestra has acquired a young, talented concertmaster to complement their ensemble - violinist Andrew Sords joins the symphony under the direction of Music Director and Conductor Robert Franz. Sords is an established solo violinist who has previously led several other orchestras. With this assignment, Sords has cemented himself in the classical music world as one of the preeminent violinists of his generation.

Already a veteran of the concert stage, Sords is the winner of the 2005 National Shirley Valentin Violin Award, the 2004 and 2005 National Federation of Music Clubs Competition, the Fortnightly Music Club of Cleveland and the Festival de la Orquesta Sinfonica de las Americas Competition of the Casals Festival among others. Sords has recently toured with the Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky violin concerti to critical acclaim. With the 2008-2009 season, Sords will preside over the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.

A musical staple in Northeastern Ohio, the Mansfield Symphony performs standards blending genres, ranging from the Baroque classics to the current hits on Broadway. Each year, the orchestra and chorus offer a number of varied programs incorporating the talents of local musicians. As well as the traditional programs, a Christmas pops series is presented annually.

Music Director Franz, entering his sixth season with the symphony, states "(I) am thrilled to have Andrew join our team in Mansfield. His excellent musicianship and strong leadership will be an enormous asset to the Mansfield Symphony. The orchestra and I are looking forward to much great music making with Andrew."

The Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, making its home in the historic Renaissance Theatre, is treasured by the region, being that it was established as an indication that the city of Mansfield had grown beyond its industrial beginnings. Culture rose to the forefront and the orchestra was the beginning of that focus. As the entertainment culture grew in and around Mansfield, the orchestra grew as well. In the early 1900's, the orchestra association began to bring in guest soloists known on the national circuit. This season, the orchestra continues to astound with guest performances by luminaries Jodi Benson and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg. Sords will also perform as soloist, beginning the 2009 season with the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto to commemorate the bicentennial of Felix Mendelssohn's birth.

Sords is overjoyed to have been named to the position. When asked about his appointment, Sords is enthusiastic: "I am very excited to be joining the roster of the Mansfield Symphony as concertmaster - Maestro Franz is inspiring and a joy to work with, and I couldn't ask for nicer colleagues! I feel that with this position, I am now very balanced as a solo artist, chamber musician, and orchestral member, and I'm sure I will grow from this opportunity. I look forward to establishing myself as a leader and representative of the orchestra in the Mansfield community."

Violinist and Conductor Liza Grossman, under whom Sords has performed, concurs with Franz, "(Andrew's) innate sense of melodic rhythm, precision and thoughtful interpretation will make him a concertmaster that will only bring the Mansfield Symphony pride."

The 2008-2009 season for Sords will highlight his connection to Ohio through solo performances with the Parma Symphony Orchestra, the Chagrin Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Suburban Symphony and the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, among others. Sords has been a resident of Northeastern Ohio for over 20 years, graduating from Shaker Heights High School and continuing his education at the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Sords completed his undergraduate education at the Cleveland Institute of Music with violin pedagogues Linda Cerone and David Russell, and performed for the legendary Midori in masterclasses in New York and at the University of Southern California. He continues to meet the demands of a burgeoning solo career which has taken him from American concert halls to venues in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. Most recently, Sords studied under internationally acclaimed violinist Chee-Yun at The Southern Methodist University of Dallas, Texas.

For more information on Violin Virtuoso Andrew Sords, please visit www.andrewsords.com or contact EMC Artists at emcartists @ gmail.com. For more information on the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and related concerts, please visit http://www.rparts.org/.

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