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Mason Johnston Does It Again!

Mason Johnston (2011, 2011-12 FIS, 2012-13 FIS, 2013, 2014), Franklin Pond alum on the cello, was the youngest (ALMOST 21!) finalist in the nationwide Rapido! Competition sponsored by the Atlanta Chamber Players. He was one of 5 finalists in the country to be chosen to have his work played by a trio of ACP players — also ASO musicians. The judges were Robert Spano, Michael Gandolfi, and Jennifer Higdon, and the main sponsor was Atlanta’s own Ron and Susan Antinori. It was so exciting, and, although he didn’t win this time, he is still a winner and we are very proud of him. Mason is in the white shirt in the pictures. Best of luck Mason for a bright future.

And BRAVO cellist and Franklin Pond coaching artists member Brad Ritchie for mastering 6 new and difficult pieces so beautifully on that program.

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Update from Stephen Upshaw (2003)

(From Stephen Upshaw’s newsletter)

Dear friends and colleagues,

After a busy summer season which ranged from the Schubert Octet in the Cheltenham Festival to a run of Lutoslawski at Sadler’s Wells with Rambert Dance, I’m writing to share a few exciting events which you might be interested in.

Firstly, on October 31 I’m incredibly excited to be giving the world premiere of composer Benjamin Graves’ “Four Façades” for solo viola and seven players alongside my colleagues in the Riot Ensemble.
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