Franklin Pond

Latest ASO Recording

asimmons — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:53:15 +0000

This latest recording presented by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is the result of a long-standing friendship between acclaimed pianist Garrick Ohlsson and the Symphony. Mr. Ohlsson was the first soloist Spano ever worked with when he made his professional debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the two have shared many happy collaborations since. When considering his discography, Mr. Ohlsson saw the Rachmaninov 3 as the one piece that has eluded him in recorded form. He approached Maestro Spano about recording the work, and Spano said, ‘Well, we have to do it.’ Maestro Spano took the opportunity as a chance to also record a signature Spano/ASO collaboration, Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances. The less-often recorded Symphonic Dances have a long history with the ASO, who has performed them both on tour and in Atlanta many times over the past ten years.

Sunday, June 24, 2012: Summer Kickoff!

asimmons — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:25:52 +0000

The summer program is almost here! We are looking forward to a terrific summer!

Monday, April 30, 2012

asimmons — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:40:08 +0000

At 7:30 p.m., April 30, 2012, the students of the Fall into Spring program presented their Season Finale concert. The concert was held at Heritage Sandy Springs. Four student groups performed chamber music by Haydn, Boccherini, David Stone, and Dvorak. The program’s faculty of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians (Jun-Ching Lin, Ronda Respess, Jessica Oudin, and Brad Ritchie) also performed a movement from a Mendelssohn quartet.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

asimmons — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:38:48 +0000

On Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., the Franklin Pond Quartet (Jun-Ching Lin, Caroyln Hancock, Paul Murphy and Danny Laufer) played a beautiful one-hour informal concert at the Abernathy Arts Center as part of the ArtSprings celebration. ASO Richard Deane joined them on a Mozart Horn Quintet and the quartet played a movement of Schubert “Death and the Maiden” and Piazzolla “Four Tango”. Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos was there along with several members of Arts Sandy Springs and the Sandy Springs Society. The Mayor commented she had also attended the ASO concert last week with Abaddo and Wang and very much enjoyed both concerts.

March 10 and 11: Alexander Technique Classes

asimmons — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:12:10 +0000

David Nesmith (www.poisedforlife.com) came to Atlanta from Columbus, Ohio where he plays horn and teaches Alexander Technique at Denison University. David had a full schedule of private students here in Atlanta and a Saturday class. This was a terrific opportunity for Atlanta musicians (it was open also to non-musicians) to learn about their bodies and how to use them more efficiently. This kind of study is imperative to avoid tension and overuse syndrome problems that are rampant among both younger students and older professional musicians. Ronda Respess is quoted as saying, “unfortunately people wait too long before they think this kind of training is necessary. They think it won’t happen to them; then it does, and they seek out cures which often take a long time to work. Everyone should learn about how to avoid these problems before they happen. This makes for better playing and a healthier life style.”

February 6: Concert in Jasper, Georgia

asimmons — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:13:11 +0000

In the words of Suzanne Shull, the Concert Manager: “The Franklin Pond String Quartet, along with horn player, Richard Deane gave the Jasper GA Casual Classics everything they have come to expect and more – from the pithy commentary of Jun-Ching Lin to the lyricism found in the Mozart horn melodies and Puccini’s “Crisantemi” quartet; from the reckless abandon of the Piazzolla “Four for Tango” to the breathtaking accuracy of in the Presto of Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden.” These instructor/musicians are great role models for the students at Franklin Pond because they set the performance barre so high.”

January 29: Benefit Concert with Robert Spano

asimmons — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:21:52 +0000

Many thanks to our Franklin Pond Quartet and pianist/ASO music director Robert Spano for their gift to Franklin Pond and it’s audience of a superb concert January 29th in Kellett Chapel of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. And kudos to our Fall into Spring trio of students — Olivia Holladay, Lihua Shu and Nicholas Lindell — who played the first movement of Dvorak’s “Terzetto” so beautifully. The concert opened with the Puccini “Chrisantemi”, then Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” quartet. After intermission the students played Dvorak and Robert Spano and the Quartet gave an inspiring performance of the Franck Piano Quintet. Bravo to all!

January 29: Norcross Welcome Center

asimmons — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 13:00:20 +0000

One of our Fall into Spring quartets played at the Norcross Welcome Center Saturday, January 29th. Welcome Center Coordinator Cate Kitchen organized the event beautifully. The quartet included Charlie Tantillo and Steven Chiou on violin, Emma DeJarnette on viola, and Mason Johnston on cello. The quartet introduced their pieces and Emma even played a couple of bluegrass tunes to an enthusiastic audience. These students first played together in Franklin Pond last summer and have been coached in the Fall into Spring program by ASO violist Wes Collins.

January 14: Music and Merlot Concert at Jekyll Island

asimmons — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:46:36 +0000

The Franklin Pond Quartet began a busy month of performances on Jekyll Island January 14th. Richard Deane, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra horn player, joined them on the Mozart Horn Quintet, then the quartet continued the stunning concert with works by Puccini, Piazzolla and Schubert. Ticket holders were treated to a gourmet dinner and wine before the concert, catered by the Jekyll Island Hotel. Beth Burnsed and her crew at The Jekyll Island Authority, the Arts Association and the Hotel all worked hard to make this a special evening.

Summer 2012 Application!

asimmons — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:15:18 +0000

As previously posted, the application deadline for the summer program is March 1, and the auditions are scheduled for March 24-27. Click on this post for the application. Also, be sure to checkout the “2012 Summer Program” menu for more info and audition excerpts..