The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Women in Music concert, to be held October 30th in LaGrange, is generating a lot of talk. This concert celebrates the significant impact that women have had on the world of music. Historically, female contributions have often been over-looked, but that has changed through the years, thanks in-part to the composers highlighted at this concert. This is a wonderful opportunity to uplift and remember all artists who’s contributions remain unrecognized. A commemorative scarf has been developed with the powerfully symbolic art created for this concert’s poster.
On the program for the evening will be Symphony No. 3 in C minor, by Florence Price, who was the first African-American female to ever have her work performed by a major American orchestra. Florence Beatrice Smith Price (1887–1953) composed over 300 works. In 2009, numerous manuscripts belonging to Price were discovered in an old house in Illinois. These manuscripts were very nearly lost forever.
Also on the program is Overture in C, written by Fannie Mendelssohn, who was the sister of Felix Mendelssohn. She was four years older than her more-famous brother, and composed over 450 pieces. Fannie Mendelssohn Hensel (1805 – 1847) lived her short life of forty-one years in Germany. One the first female composers to have her work actually published, Fanny blazed a trail for the acceptance of women into a traditionally male profession.
The guest artist for this concert is the accomplished, LSO 2018 Young Artists Competition for Piano winner, Yannie Tan! Miss Tan is welcomed back to the LSO stage this season to participate in this very special Women in Music Concert. Yannie’s musical career began very early. Her virtuosic talent is electric and a joy to experience. Here is a little more about her and her musical career:
Yannie Tan, 17, is the Dorothy Allen Turner First Place Winner of the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition held in February of 2018. A senior at Atlanta International School, Yannie has already performed twice at Carnegie Hall and was recently featured on 11Alive News. She has also appeared as guest artist with several symphony orchestras in many states and Europe. Yannie was recognized as a national first place winner for Senior Duet Performance and Junior Piano Performance from the Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) in 2018 and 2016 respectively. She won first place in the International Piano Festival in Italy and the grand prize in the National Young Virtuosi Competition. She also received top prize for Solo Performance from the Georgia Music Teacher Association (GMTA), an award she has held each year since 2010.
Yannie began her musical training at the age of four in Atlanta, Georgia and started competing with her first win at the age of eight. These early years provided a firm foundation that has continually progressed toward excellence. She was the first in Georgia to achieve the Music Diploma with Distinction Award from the British Royal School of Music in England (ABRSM).
Miss Tan’s classical education includes studies with Professor Alexander Kobrin at Eastman School of Music and Professor Tatiana Mazunova at Schwob School of Music. Her music passion has led her to talk to over 10,000 students with the intent to inspire them about classical music. She has volunteered for many worthy causes and hosted a benefit event to support the children of St. Jude Research Hospital. Making a difference is paramount to Miss Tan, and this mindset has continued throughout the years. In February of this year, Yannie was selected as one of the outstanding leaders to receive the 21st Century Leaders “20 under 20” Georgia Youth Leadership Awards.
Tickets to this event where you will hear this amazing music can be found HERE. If you would like to help support the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra, and own one of the beautiful silken scarves commemorating this event, a limited-number will be available to purchase at the concert.