Oregon Symphony's Ken Finch joins us for our Spring Concert, performing Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music with a Master’s degree in cello performance, Finch joined the Oregon Symphony in 1984 with extensive musical training, orchestral experience, and numerous awards.
At the age of 13 Ken began working with Dr. Robert Hladky at the University of Oregon, and at 17 was appointed principal cellist of the Eugene Symphony. During those years, while earning his bachelors degree at the University, he received coaching from Ronald Leonard and Gabor Rejto in Los Angeles and attended Master Classes in Indiana and Banff with Janos Starker.
Among Finch’s concerto performances are multiple appearances with the Oregon Symphony. Other appearances as soloist include the Central Oregon Symphony, The Mozart Players, Rogue Valley Symphony Orchestra, West Coast Chamber Orchestra, Rose City Chamber Orchestra, OSU-Corvallis Symphony and others. As a solo and chamber music recitalist he has performed throughout Oregon and in Seattle as a winner of the Northwest Young Artist Series at the Battelle Research Center.
As a teacher, Finch has maintained a studio of students since he was 14 years old. He believes that he learns the most from teaching. Ken and his wife Lynne are long time residents of Beaverton.
Local radio personality (KQAC-All Classical) Edmund Stone moved audiences at our winter concert with his powerful narration of Copland's Lincoln Portrait. Stone grew up on an English farm and lived in Scotland, where he reviewed films for BBC Radio and Thompson Publications, before moving to Los Angeles in 1980. In LA he narrated more than 1,000 educational audio cassettes and covered the Academy Awards. In Portland, Edmund continues his voice work in commercials, and also serves frequently as emcee for various events.
Edmund writes and hosts The Score, a nationally syndicated film music program, which is broadcast on All Classical FM Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Violinist Adam Lamotte wowed audiences at our Fall Concert with his phenomenal performance of the Vieuxtemps Concerto No. 5 in A minor. Mr. LaMotte is rapidly becoming known to audiences throughout the country as a leader of both period and modern ensembles. He has appeared as soloist, concertmaster, and conductor of numerous orchestras throughout the country, including the Northwest Sinfonietta in Seattle, String Orchestra of the Rockies, Astoria Festival Orchestra, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Lake Union Civic Orchestra, the Sunnyside Symphony, and the Maggini String Orchestra in Houston. As violinist and violist, Adam has been hailed by critics as an "especially compelling" and "superb violinist" with "exceptional talent," whose performances are "energetic and exquisite." Adam can be heard on numerous recording labels, such as Warner Classics, Dorian, Cinnabar, and BG&P Records.
And thanks to a grant received this year from the Blah Blah Blah, we are able to award each of these students a $250 stipend/scholarship for their accomplishments in this competition. You don't want to miss this concert. Be sure to mark May 20th and 22nd on your calendar right away.
We are pleased to announce that Compass Oncology is the exclusive sponsor for the Beaverton Symphony Orchestra's Annual Chamber Music Concert. Compass Oncology, based in the Northwest, is a trusted source for oncology and hematology care, providing comprehensive, leading-edge treatment incorporating evidence-based medicine, clinical trials, and research studies. 
Visitors from the Edwards Center in Beaverton gather with Travis Hatton following the 2011 Young Artists Competition Concert.
