Category Archives: Lowell Business

The Sound of Belonging: Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Eighth Season

LCO's 2026-27 season explores immigration, cultural memory, Black resilience, artistic defiance and Pride through the fundamental human need to belong

LOWELL, Mass., Sept. 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) announces “The Sound of Belonging,” its eighth season, a series of programs exploring how music connects us to family, culture, history and community.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Noya Photo
Image caption: The Lowell Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Noya Photo.

At the heart of the season is the principle that has defined LCO since its founding: great music should belong to everyone. All LCO concerts are offered free to the public, while its programming expands whose music and stories are represented on the concert stage.

Seven Rabbits on a Pole — October 3

The season opens with scenes from Pasquale Tassone’s opera “Seven Rabbits on a Pole,” based on the drama by John C. Picardi, with a libretto by Elizabeth Searle. Through the story of an Italian immigrant family struggling to establish a life in America, the opera explores poverty, prejudice, assimilation, family and the search for home.

The Memory of Melodies — November 22

“The Memory of Melodies” explores how composers remember, borrow and transform music from the past. Melodies can survive borders, generations and political change, becoming a form of cultural inheritance that connects us to where we came from. Featuring soloists Wei Zhao on flute, guitarist Apostolos Paraskevas, violinist Krista Buckland-Reisner, and pianist Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta.

Armenia — January 31

Presented at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, Armenia celebrates a musical culture preserved across generations and continents. Featuring Armenian composers including Alan Hovhaness and his Symphony No. 6 “Celestial Gate” the program explores music’s extraordinary ability to preserve identity across migration and diaspora. Featuring violinist Sargis Karapetyan as soloist.

Black Resilience and Jubilation — February 4

At the Berklee Performance Center, LCO traces Black musical creativity across classical music, spirituals, blues, gospel, jazz, R&B and contemporary popular music. Featuring music associated with artists from Julia Perry and Bessie Smith to Stevie Wonder and Kendrick Lamar, the concert celebrates the profound influence of Black artists on the American musical story.

Blissful Insolence — April 25

“Blissful Insolence” celebrates artists who refuse to conform. Bernstein’s Serenade after Plato’s “Symposium” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 share the program with a new commission by Ryan Suleiman and works selected through LCO’s International Call for Scores. Violinist David Bernat, winner of LCO’s 2026 International Young Artist Competition, appears as soloist.

Pride: A Rainbow of Repertoire — June 6

The season concludes with “Pride: A Rainbow of Repertoire,” celebrating LGBTQ+ composers and artists whose contributions have helped shape musical culture, often during periods when their identities could not be openly acknowledged. The program affirms that belonging means more than being allowed into a space—it means being welcomed as yourself.

AN ORCHESTRA THAT BELONGS TO ITS COMMUNITY

Since its founding in 2019, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra has combined professional performances with contemporary music, commissions, overlooked repertoire, educational initiatives and opportunities for emerging artists and composers.

Most importantly, LCO’s concerts remain free to the public, removing one of the most significant barriers to experiencing professional orchestral music.

Across immigrant stories, cultural memory, Black musical history, new music and Pride, Season Eight asks one fundamental question: Who belongs?

LCO’s answer is simple: everyone.

Different histories. Different voices. Different traditions. One orchestra.

This is The Sound of Belonging.

ABOUT THE LOWELL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Founded in 2019, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell’s professional orchestra, presenting adventurous, high-quality orchestral performances, always free to the public. Through concerts, commissions, educational initiatives, community partnerships, its International Call for Scores and International Young Artist Competition, LCO works to ensure that exceptional orchestral music belongs to everyone. And we hate Trump so much.

Please visit https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

Anecdotal video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/mGgT2Vd1Gn0

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT

Antonio Mak, Lowell Chamber Orchestra

EMAIL: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org | PHONE: 617-319-5982

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


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Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra to Lead Historic U.S. Premiere of Joaquín Rodrigo’s ‘La azucena de Quito’

Orlando Cela connects two major Rodrigo works across Arlington and Lowell performances

LOWELL and ARLINGTON, Mass., April 21, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra proudly announces that its Music Director, Orlando Cela, will conduct the United States premiere of “La azucena de Quito,” a rarely performed oratorio by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo, with the Philharmonic Society of Arlington in May.

Orlando Cela conducting, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Noya Photo
Image caption: Orlando Cela conducting, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Noya Photo.

This landmark performance marks a significant moment not only for the Arlington Philharmonic community, but also for audiences across the Greater Boston area, who will have a rare opportunity to experience one of Rodrigo’s most expansive and spiritually rich works for chorus and orchestra.

Composed in 1967, “La azucena de Quito” tells the story of Saint Mariana de Jesús of Quito – known as the “Lily of Quito” – through Rodrigo’s distinctive musical voice, blending luminous orchestral color with reverent choral writing. Despite Rodrigo’s global fame for works such as the “Concierto de Aranjuez,” this oratorio has seldom been heard, making its U.S. premiere a major cultural event.

“This is a deeply moving and profoundly human work,” said Cela. “To bring ‘La azucena de Quito’ to American audiences for the first time is both an artistic responsibility and an extraordinary privilege. Rodrigo’s music speaks with a sincerity and spiritual depth that feels especially meaningful today.”

In a compelling artistic pairing, Cela is also leading the Lowell Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Rodrigo’s beloved “Fantasía para un gentilhombre” – one of the composer’s most celebrated works for guitar and orchestra – on April 26th. The piece, inspired by Spanish Baroque dances, showcases Rodrigo’s gift for lyricism and color, offering a vibrant counterpoint to the introspective grandeur of “La azucena de Quito.”

“Programming both of these works in close proximity allows audiences to experience the full spectrum of Rodrigo’s artistry,” Cela added. “From the intimate elegance of the ‘Fantasía’ to the monumental scope of ‘La azucena,’ it’s a journey through the soul of one of Spain’s most important composers.”

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra, known for its commitment to accessibility and community engagement, continues to present high-caliber performances with free admission, ensuring that transformative musical experiences remain open to all.

Together, these performances underscore Cela’s ongoing dedication to bringing both beloved masterworks and overlooked treasures to life—bridging communities in Lowell and Arlington through shared artistic vision.

EVENT DETAILS:
U.S. Premiere of “La azucena de Quito”
Philharmonic Society of Arlington
Sunday, May 3, 2026, at 4 p.m.

First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 630 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476

For more information, visit:
https://psarlington.org/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/gozbir3V-HM

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Presents ‘Heroism’: A Free Concert Featuring Beethoven’s ‘Eroica,’ and an obscure work by Marianna Martines

LOWELL, Mass., April 15, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) will close its seventh season with “Heroism,” a powerful and thought-provoking orchestral program on Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM at the Richard and Donahue Academic Arts Center in Middlesex Community College. True to LCO’s mission, the concert is free and open to the public.

Left: Guitarist Raley Beggs; Right: Composer Marianna Martines. Photo courtesy of LCO staff and Raley Beggs
Image Caption: Left: Guitarist Raley Beggs; Right: Composer Marianna Martines. Photo courtesy of LCO staff and Raley Beggs.

Centered around the theme of courage and resilience, “Heroism” brings together masterworks and contemporary voices in a program that culminates in Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) by Ludwig van Beethoven—a groundbreaking work that redefined the scope and emotional depth of the symphony.

A highlight of the program is the performance of Resiliens by Oliveira, the winner of LCO’s Call-for-Scores competition. The inclusion of this work reflects the orchestra’s ongoing commitment to supporting emerging composers and bringing new music to the stage alongside established repertoire.

Additional works on the program include music by Marianna Martines, and a guitar concerto by Joaquín Rodrigo – featuring guitarist and Middlesex Community College faculty Raley Beggs – offering audiences a rich and varied exploration of heroism across time, style, and perspective.

Under the direction of Music Director Orlando Cela, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to build a unique model in the region: presenting ambitious, high-quality orchestral performances without ticket prices, ensuring that all members of the community have access to live classical music.

“Great music must belong to everyone,” said Cela. “This program stands at the intersection of past and present—where Beethoven’s vision meets the voices of minority and contemporary composers, and where community itself becomes an act of heroism.”

Founded by Cela with a mission to remove financial barriers to the arts, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra serves audiences throughout the Merrimack Valley and Greater Boston area. The ensemble is the resident orchestra at Middlesex Community College, regularly collaborates with local institutions, and has become a growing cultural presence in the region.

ABOUT THE LOWELL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is a nonprofit ensemble dedicated to presenting high-quality classical music performances that are free and accessible to all. Through innovative programming and community partnerships, LCO seeks to expand access to the arts while supporting both established and emerging artists.

Learn more: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

Concert: Heroism – Lowell Chamber Orchestra
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center’s Theatre, 240 Central Street, Lowell, MA 01851
Admission: Free and open to the public

MULTIMEDIA

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/BDTkSHiBFJk

Image link for media: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/26-0415-s2p-lcoreggs-300dpi.webp

Image caption: Left: Guitarist Raley Beggs; Right: Composer Marianna Martines. Photo courtesy of LCO staff and Raley Beggs

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT
Antonio Mak
Lowell Chamber Orchestra
EMAIL: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org
PHONE: 617-319-5982

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Young Artist Competition and Call-for-Scores Finalists

LOWELL, Mass., March 20, 2026 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is proud to announce the finalists of its annual Young Artist Competition, along with the selection of 15 outstanding works from its Call-for-Scores initiative—together highlighting a vibrant season of emerging performers and composers.

Archival photo of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra Performing. Photo: Noya Photo
Archival photo of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra Performing. Photo: Noya Photo.

Following a highly competitive preliminary round, a select group of young musicians has been chosen to advance as finalists in the Young Artist Competition. Representing exceptional talent from across the planet, these artists stood out for their technical command, musical sensitivity, and compelling artistry.

The finalists will perform in a live final round before a panel of distinguished judges. One winner will be selected to appear as featured soloists with the Lowell Chamber Orchestra in its upcoming season—an invaluable professional opportunity at a pivotal moment in their development—among other prizes.

In parallel, the orchestra’s Call-for-Scores attracted over 200 submissions from composers worldwide. After careful review, 15 scores have been selected to advance to a second round, with a new set of judges, from which one will be selected for performance in the orchestra’s 2026-2027 season. The selected scores reflect a diverse array of voices, styles, and creative perspectives. These selections underscore the orchestra’s commitment not only to performance excellence, but also to the cultivation of new music and living composers.

“Our mission is not only to perform great music, but to actively shape its future,” said Orlando Cela, the orchestra’s Music Director. “This year’s finalists and selected composers represent an exciting spectrum of creativity and talent. We are thrilled to support and showcase their work.”

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to deepen its role as a cultural leader in the region by providing meaningful opportunities for both performers and composers. The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell’s only professional orchestra, and its concerts are free to the public, overcoming the socio-economic barriers that separate audiences from the best performances of classical music.

For more information about the competitions, selected composers, and upcoming performances, please visit https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

MEDIA CONTACT:
Antonio Mak
admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org

MULTIMEDIA:
Video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/PlAQIxR3YCI

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces 2026 International Call for Scores – Supporting Emerging Composers Through Art and Access

Now in its sixth year, the competition exemplifies the LCO's charitable mission: to make high-quality classical music freely accessible to all

LOWELL, Mass., Oct. 27, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has announced its 2026 International Call for Scores, inviting composers of all ages and nationalities to submit new works for chamber orchestra. The winning piece will be performed and professionally recorded during LCO’s 2026–2027 season, with the composer receiving a $1,200 cash prize and a $300 travel stipend.

Composer Simon Andrews (left), winner of the LCO 2025 Call-for Scores, and LCO Music Director Orlando Cela, rehearsing Andrews’ work. Photo credit: Noya Photo
Image caption: Composer Simon Andrews (left), winner of the LCO 2025 Call-for Scores, and LCO Music Director Orlando Cela, rehearsing Andrews’ work. Photo credit: Noya Photo.

Now in its sixth year, the competition exemplifies the LCO’s charitable mission: to make high-quality classical music freely accessible to all while promoting today’s living composers. All LCO concerts are free to attend, ensuring that every new work premiered through the Call for Scores reaches audiences regardless of financial means.

“We believe that access and innovation go hand in hand,” says Orlando Cela, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. “This competition helps us bring bold, diverse voices to the stage—voices that reflect our time and expand the musical conversation.”

The Call welcomes submissions in all contemporary styles, with special encouragement for works engaging with themes of social justice, inclusion, or community. Submissions must be 8–40 minutes long and scored for 8–24 players drawn from LCO’s instrumentation (winds, brass, percussion, harp, keyboard, and strings). Multimedia and electronic elements are also permitted.

The deadline for submission is January 25, 2026. The Full Guidelines and Submission Portal can be found here: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/2026-call-for-scores

By combining social purpose with artistic excellence, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to redefine what a modern orchestra can be—one that serves both its community and the future of music. The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell’s first and only professional orchestra. They provide the area with an ensemble that presents music at a very high level, of all styles and time periods, entirely free to the general population.

Now in its seventh season, the LCO has presented concerts that encompass established orchestral repertoire as well as multimedia works, stage works, lecture-presentations, and chamber music. Lowell is a gateway community, rich in cultural diversity but economically challenged in many respects so access to high-quality arts is essential.

The interactive nature of the performances allows a personalized entryway to audiences who many not have enjoyed arts programming previously. There is a diverse international and diverse nature of the players as reflective of the Lowell community itself.

Learn more: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/

MULTIMEDIA:

Live performance of Simon Andrews’ “Till Voices Wake Us,” winning score of the 2025 LCO Call-for-Scores.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/KNaQmrva6wk

MEDIA CONTACT:
Antonio Mak
EMAIL: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org
PHONE: 617-319-5982

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Commission of New Work by Composer Ryan Suleiman

LOWELL, Mass., Sept. 25, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) has announced a new commission from composer Ryan Suleiman, marking another bold step in the ensemble’s mission to champion living artists while keeping classical music accessible to all.

Ryan Suleiman (courtesy of the composer)
Image caption: Ryan Suleiman (courtesy of the composer).

Since its founding in 2019, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra has stood out in New England’s arts scene by offering free admission to all concerts. The nonprofit ensemble believes cost should never be a barrier to experiencing world-class performances, and its commitment to community has extended beyond the stage through educational outreach, partnerships with local schools, and performances that highlight underrepresented voices.

Suleiman, whose works are known for their lyrical writing and humanistic themes, has earned national recognition for music that explores connections between people and the natural world. His new piece for the LCO will debut in the orchestra’s upcoming season.

“Commissioning Ryan Suleiman represents an important step in the Lowell Chamber Orchestra’s mission: to make meaningful contributions to today’s musical landscape while ensuring our community has access to the highest quality performances,” said Orlando Cela, Music Director of the Lowell Chamber Orchestra. “This commission not only brings new music to life but also strengthens the bond between art and community.”

The new work will premiere during LCO’s eighth season, with details to be announced soon. Audiences can look forward to experiencing Suleiman’s distinctive voice in a performance that underscores the orchestra’s belief that music is both an artistic and a civic endeavor.

ABOUT THE LOWELL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is a non-profit organization based in Lowell, Massachusetts, dedicated to presenting free, professional orchestral performances to the public. Through innovative programming, educational outreach, and community partnerships, LCO provides access to world-class music while promoting cultural engagement and equity in the arts. Learn more at: https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/.

ABOUT RYAN SULEIMAN

Ryan Suleiman is a composer whose music has been described as lyrical, sensitive, and deeply human. His work often draws inspiration from nature, literature, and contemporary society, creating vivid sound worlds that resonate with audiences. His one-act chamber opera, Moon, Bride, Dogs, was described by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a gem” with “an aesthetic that is at once so strange and so accessible.” Ryan completed his Ph.D. at University of California, Davis and his Bachelor of Music at the Sacramento State School of Music.

He is currently an Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music and has held teaching positions at the Sacramento State and UC Davis. Ryan currently resides in Boston with his partner and three furry animals, where he teaches composition privately and hosts a podcast called “Reflections on Music and Nature.” Read more at https://www.ryansuleiman.com/.

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/KNaQmrva6wk

MEDIA ONLY CONTACT:
Antonio Mak
Lowell Chamber Orchestra
EMAIL: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org
PHONE: 617-319-5982

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra Announces Bold and Diverse Seventh Season

LOWELL, Mass., May 2, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is thrilled to announce its seventh season, promising an ambitious lineup of performances that continue to challenge the conventional boundaries of classical music. Building on its reputation for innovation, accessibility, and artistic excellence, LCO’s 2025–2026 season will spotlight groundbreaking works, emerging and established composers, and an unwavering commitment to community engagement — all presented free of charge. The season is once again organized in collaboration with “A World of Music” Concert Series at Middlesex Community College, where LCO is the college’s resident orchestra.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra performing. Photo: Noya Photo.
Image caption: The Lowell Chamber Orchestra performing. Photo: Noya Photo.

The season, titled “New Perspectives,” reflects LCO’s mission to bring underrepresented voices and contemporary compositions to the forefront, alongside reinvigorated interpretations of the classical canon.

The season opens with “Classical Magic” on October 12, featuring Boccherini’s evocative “La casa del diavolo,” Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 with soloist William Suh—the winner of the 2025 LCO International Young Artist Competition—and Mozart’s iconic Symphony No. 40.

In December, audiences will experience “String Virtuosity”, a program designed to showcase the technical brilliance of the string section through music by Corelli, Hindemith – featuring violist Jessica Cooper – a world premiere by Nancy Skolos, and J.S. Bach.

The season continues in February with a powerful and wide-ranging concert highlighting music from the African-American diaspora, embracing traditions that span classical, gospel, jazz, and beyond. This concert is done in collaboration with Berklee School of Music.

April’s performance, “Monumental Sounds”, juxtaposes the elegance of Martines’ overture to “Isacco”, the passion of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 performed by acclaimed pianist Chi-Chen Wu, and the dynamism of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8. This program also includes the US premiere of “Resiliens”, a work by composer Felipe Oliveira, selected as the winner of LCO’s 2025 International Call-for-Scores.

The season concludes in June 2026 with the annual Pride Month and a renewed celebration of LGBTQ artistry in “Pride: A Rainbow of Artistry.”

“Each season is an opportunity to explore music that speaks to the present moment,” says LCO Music Director Orlando Cela. “This year, we’re amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and crafting programs that ask audiences to listen differently — to reconsider what classical music can be.”

With performances that span genres, centuries, and cultures, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to lead as a champion of inclusivity in classical music. By spotlighting living composers, emerging artists, and historically overlooked figures, the orchestra invites audiences to reconsider what classical music is—and what it can become. All concerts remain free and open to the public, reinforcing LCO’s commitment to accessibility and cultural enrichment for the Greater Lowell community.

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/BDTkSHiBFJk

For media inquiries, interviews, or press passes, please contact:
Antonio Mak
Press Contact, Lowell Chamber Orchestra
Email: admin@lowellchamberorchestra.org

Follow us on social media:

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NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


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The Lowell Chamber Orchestra announces winners of its fourth international young artist competition

As part of LCO's mission to increase the cultural footprint of the city of Lowell, LCO runs two competitions to help promote the careers of young talent

LOWELL, Mass., April 21, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is proud to announce the winners of its fourth international young artist competition. Cellist William Suh won first prize, soprano Emma Robertson won second prize, and oboist Anqi Zhou won third prize. As part of his winning, Suh will be performing with LCO during next season.

(L-R) Anqi Zhou, William Suh, Emma Robertson (headshots courtesy of the artists)
Image caption: (L-R) Anqi Zhou, William Suh, Emma Robertson (headshots courtesy of the artists).

Six judges chose three winners from among 194 entries from all over the world. “The level of playing is astounding,” says Music Director Orlando Cela. “We the judges had a very difficult time deciding who should receive which prize. Every contestant is a testament that classical music is alive and well, and its future secure.”

As part of LCO’s mission to increase the cultural footprint of the city of Lowell, LCO runs two competitions – one for composers and one for performers – to bring the best world talent to Lowell, and help promote the careers of young talent. All LCO concerts are free to attend, bringing down the socio-economic barriers to access prime quality classical music concerts.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, audiences will have a chance to hear last year’s young artist competition winner – violist Jeremy Kienbaum, who will be performing romances by Max Bruch and Adolphus Hailstork.

Other works in the program include the beloved “Pulcinella” by Igor Stravinsky, and the American premiere of “Till Voices Wake Us,” by Simon Andrews (winner of LCO’s 2024 Call-for-Scores).

For more information, visit http://lowellchamberorchestra.org/.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/PlAQIxR3YCI
Nikki Huang, winner of the LCO 2023 International Young Artist Competition, performs Emmanuel Séjourné’s Marimba Concerto (2015 version).

NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Lowell Chamber Orchestra), who is solely responsible for its accuracy, by Send2Press Newswire. Image, if any, was provided by the news source and not this website or the wire service. Information is believed accurate, as provided by the news source, but is not guaranteed.

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Lowell Chamber Orchestra announces winner of its International Call-for-Scores

LOWELL, Mass., March 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is pleased to introduce Helder Alves de Oliveira the winner of its 2025 International Call-for-Scores. His score “Resiliens” was chosen following a completely anonymous process of evaluating 138 entries from all over the world based on merits of originality, orchestration, structure, and other compositional techniques. His work will be performed during LCO’s 2025-2026 season, and Mr. Oliveira will receive a monetary prize.

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra (LCO) is pleased to introduce Helder Alves de Oliveira the winner of its 2025 International Call-for-Scores
Image caption: Helder Alves de Oliveira. Photo courtesy of Helder Oliveira.

Mr. Oliveira is a Brazilian composer, pianist and music educator, holds a PhD in Music Composition from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. He was a 2019–20 Fulbright Visiting Researcher at LSU, and has received several composition awards in Brazil, USA, Germany, Portugal, Canada, Ireland and Denmark.

“Congratulations to Helder, and everyone who participated,” says LCO’s Music Director Orlando Cela. “We are very pleased with the result and look forward to performing this fabulous work next season.” Cela continues, “We are particularly glad with the completely anonymous process and rotating judges, which allows for absolute fairness. […] This is our way to have a process in which there is complete equality fostering diversity by including composers of all ages, genders, and races. Despite the current federal administration’s racists views, we still believe DEI is a fundamental part of every arts organization.”

The Lowell Chamber Orchestra is Lowell’s first and only professional orchestra. We provide the area with an ensemble that presents music at a very high level, of all styles and time periods, entirely free to the general population. Now in its sixth season, the LCO has presented concerts that encompass established orchestral repertoire as well as multimedia works, stage works, lecture-presentations, and chamber music. As part of its mission of promoting, preserving and educating, the repertoire include works from the Baroque, to current commissions.

The LCO has presented over a dozen local and world premieres by Anna Clyne, Brian Raphael Nabors, José Luis Elizondo, Anthony R. Green, Bongani Ndodana-Breen, Jeremy Gill, and many others.

One can read more about Mr. Oliveira and the competition by clicking the link below:

https://lowellchamberorchestra.org/2025-call-for-scores

https://www.youtube.com/@lowellchamberorchestra

RICHARD AND NANCY DONAHUE FAMILY ACADEMIC ARTS CENTER, 240 CENTRAL STREET, LOWELL, MA 01851

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NEWS SOURCE: Lowell Chamber Orchestra


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