Qualis Contributes to the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Music Education Program for Area Fourth Graders

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, with financial support from Qualis, treated more than 8,000 area fourth graders to wonderful concerts on Thursday and Friday, February 28 and 29. Music Director and Conductor, Carlos Prieto made the experience exciting for each of the four 45 minute concerts which began with an opening Rossini overture, a performance by one of the Young Artist winners with the orchestra, and the featured Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint Seans. Qualis sponsored the Young Artists.
Three young artists were selected in November through audition and competition for this opportunity to play with a full symphony orchestra. One winner was selected in each of the three categories of piano, orchestral strings and wind/brass/percussion/harp. The Young People’s Concerts, an annual project of the Huntsville Symphony Guild and the orchestra, is for many of the young people their first exposure to a symphony orchestra. Since 1968 more than 200,000 students have attended the Young People’s Concerts.

The Huntsville Symphony Orchestra is under the leadership of Carlos Miguel Prieto. Prieto is also music director and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Duo pianists Ron Roberts and Margery (McDuffie) Whatley in costume were featured in the Carnival of the Animals, which was a hit to the fourth graders.

Prieto formally acknowledged Qualis’ support of the three young artists – Aaron Choi, Piano; Kian Andersen, Bassoon; and Lucas Pruitt, Xylophone. Elizabeth Morard, Thad Mauldin, Cathy Shields, and Darryl Adams attended the February 29th morning concert where Aaron Choi performed the Concerto No. 2 in F Major for piano by Shostakovich. Qualis’ support of these concerts is a part of the company’s 15th Anniversary year, which is being celebrated throughout 2008.