The new “Connection Series” of free concerts and events at the University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music will include several professional guest artists throughout the year. The first guest artist of the season is Kenn Wagner, first violinist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
The new “Connection Series” of free concerts and events at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music begins with a recital by Kenn Wagner, first violinist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. (Photo provided by artist.)
Wagner will play alongside School of Music faculty members Michael Heald, violin; Maggie Snyder, viola; David Starkweather, cello; and D. Ray McClellan, clarinet. The program includes Haydn’s String Quartet Op.33 No.3, Ruth Gipps’s Rhapsody for Clarinet and String Quartet, and Beethoven’s String Quartet Op.135.
The recital will be Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Ramsey Concert Hall at the UGA Performing Arts Center. This recital is free, and no tickets are required.
Wagner has been a first violinist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 1994 and has also served as acting assistant concertmaster of the ASO for one season.
Outside of the ASO, he has also appeared abroad as guest soloist with the Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra in China and in the Christ Church Symphony string section in New Zealand. Nationally, he has soloed with the New Orleans Symphony, Arlington Symphony and the Wintergreen Music Festival Orchestra. In Atlanta, Wagner has also appeared as soloist with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra, the DeKalb Symphony, Clark/Spelman Symphony, Atlanta Philharmonic and the Atlanta Musicians’ Orchestra.
“It’s great that Kenn Wagner is able to share his skill and artistry with the Athens community as well as our students,” said Heald. “Getting to see and hear someone from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a more intimate setting is a great opportunity for everyone.”
For a complete listing of ticketed and free performances, patrons can visit music.uga.edu. The UGA Performing Arts Center is located at 230 River Road in Athens.