Symphony heads to 'The Planets'
BUTLER TWP — A euphonium player and a world premiere composition will be featured in the Butler County Symphony Orchestra's concert on Feb. 3.
The symphony will present “The Planets” at 7:30 p.m. in the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium.
A pre-concert lecture will be given by music director and conductor Matthew Kraemer at 6:30 p.m.
Selections will include “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, Carl Nielsen's “Helios Overture” and the world premiere of Stephen Barr's “Penumbra” featuring Tom Mahovsky on euphonium.
An airman first class, Mahovsky has been a member of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West since July 2016. Stationed at Travis AFB, Calif., he plays euphonium in the concert band as well as a ceremonial quintet, Golden West Brass. Additionally, he plays trombone in the jazz band, The Commanders.
Mahovsky completed his undergraduate degree at Slippery Rock University in 2012 and earned degrees in music education and euphonium performance. He completed his master's degree in euphonium performance at the University of North Texas in 2014.
Barr is an award-winning composer and conductor working in Pittsburgh. He writes in a variety of mediums, from modern concert music of all genres to contemporary film score and music for media in orchestral and orchestral-electronic hybrid styles. His concert music has been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Florida Orchestra, American Academy of Conducting Orchestra and Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, as well as university instrumental and vocal ensembles.A native of Western Pennsylvania, Barr holds music degrees from Westminster College, the University of South Florida, and West Virginia University.Stephen's previous writing for the euphonium includes “Ethereal Wave” for solo euphonium and percussion quintet, and “Entrada” for euphonium quartet. “Ethereal Wave” was selected as a finalist in the 2012 Harvey Phillips Award for Excellence in Composition.Tickets for the Feb. 3 concert are available at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St., or online at butlersymphony.org.
