Violinist Grace Park assumes the role with inaugural performances in March
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) has announced the appointment of Grace Park as its new concertmaster. Park replaces Vahn Armstrong, who has served as the VSO’s concertmaster since 1993, and will continue to perform with the orchestra as concertmaster emeritus.
’I am thrilled to welcome Grace to the VSO family as our new concertmaster,’ said VSO music director Eric Jacobsen.
’Her extraordinary leadership and virtuosic artistry will inspire and energise all of us at the orchestra going forward, and I have no doubt she will become a pillar of our community, forging meaningful connections through music and leading us into an exciting new chapter.’
Park commented: ’I’m beyond excited to join the family of The Virginia Symphony. The energy, spirit and love of music is carried through the members of the orchestra, and guided so courageously by maestro Eric Jacobsen, JoAnn Falletta and Thomas Wilkins.
’It is truly an honour to be able to a part of their vision, leadership and creativity. Along with leading from the concertmaster role, I’m ecstatic to be starting a chamber music series which will give a deeper insight into the Virginia Symphony musicians, along with our guest solo artists.
’There’s so much brewing in this pot, and I can’t wait to show you what we’ve got!’
Park’s inaugural performances will be on 14 and 16 March in concerts comprising Strauss Don Quixote, Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Ravel La Valse.
Park is a native of Los Angeles, CA, and began violin at the age of five, later training at the Colburn School of Music. She continued her studies at Colburn Conservatory and New England Conservatory for her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Her principal teachers were Donald Weilerstein, Miriam Fried, Sylvia Rosenberg, and Robert Lipsett. She also won the Walter W. Naumburg International Violin Competition in 2018.
Her most recent solo debuts include the Colorado Music Festival, Bard Festival under the baton of Leon Botstein, Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall with the New York Youth Symphony, The Rudolfinum/ Dvorak Hall in Prague with Prague Philharmonia, and recital debuts at Krannert Center, Beethoven Minnesota Festival and Merkin Hall.
Park recorded her debut solo album of concertos and solo works by Mozart and Dvořák with the Prague Philharmonia and its music director, Emmanuel Villaume, set for release in spring 2025.
She performs on a 1717 Giuseppe Guarneri ‘filius Andreae’ violin on loan from an anonymous sponsor.
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