A family-friendly concert!

THE MAGIC OF MUSIC

Sunday, January 26, 2025
4:00 PM | Wilson Center @ CFCC

Steven Errante, Conductor
Evan Crowley, Violin
Thomas Austria, Piano

Tickets: $10-$15

The performance is approximately 50 minutes and is for ages 6 and older.

Come join the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra and create cherished memories with your child as you embark on this musical journey together. Immerse yourselves in the captivating world of classical music designed to spark curiosity and ignite a lifelong love for the arts.

On the concert program:

  • “Dance of the Tumblers” from The Snow Maiden by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov

  • Zigeunerweisen Op. 20 by Pablo de Sarasate (High School Division Winner of the 2024 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition)

  • Piano Concerto in G Major, Movement 1 by Maurice Ravel (UNCW Division Winner of the 2024 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition)

  • Mother Goose Suite by Maurice Ravel
    • Beauty and the Beast
    • The Magic Garden

  • Dance Mix- Hornpipe to Hoedown (music of Handel, J.S. Bach, Chevalier de St. Georges, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, and Copland)

  • Wicked: a Fable for Orchestra by Stephen Schwartz/arr. William David Brohn

Presented by:

PRE-CONCERT ARTS FAIR

Families are invited to participate in educational pre-concert activities at 2:30 p.m. in the Wilson Center lobby! You must have a ticket to the concert to attend the Pre-Concert Arts Fair. WSO will host an Orchestra Discovery Zone where young children can become acquainted with the instruments in an orchestra. Families may also visit with local community partners participating in the Arts Fair, including Varnam Strings, New Hanover County Public Library, and the Children’s Museum of Wilmington.

GUEST ARTISTS

Evan Crowley-Colom, violin
High School Division Winner of the 2024 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition

Evan Crowley-Colom, a 14-year-old 9th grader at Isaac Bear Early College High School, began playing the violin at age 4 with Abigail Albaugh and has been studying under Dr. Danijela Žeželj-Gualdi since 2017. He has participated in masterclasses with Luigi Mazzocchi, Ara Gregorian, Hye-Jim Kim, and Sergiu Schwartz.

Evan was part of the Trask Middle School Orchestra from 2022 to 2024, served as the concertmaster of the 2023 New Hanover All County Middle School Orchestra and was part of the 2024 NC Junior Eastern Regional Orchestra. He was a member of the Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings since 2018, where he held the concertmaster position from 2022 to 2024. He is currently a member of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra. Evan has been part of the WSYO Chamber Ensembles Program since 2020. He has attended and performed at the UNCW CMA Summer Camp, UNCG Music Summer Camp, and the ECU Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival.

In 2024, Evan performed as a soloist with the WSYO as the winner of the 2023 Junior Division of the Wilmington Symphony’s Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition. He has also received awards at the Elite International Music Competition at Carnegie Hall, the Peter Perret Youth Talent Search, and the Annual Beckwith Young Artist Competition. Evan holds a karate black belt and enjoys volunteering at his church. He also loves playing board, video and card games, drawing, and spending time with his family.

Thomas Austria, piano
UNCW Division Winner of the 2024 Richard R. Deas Young Artist Concerto Competition

Born and raised in Wilmington, Thomas Austria was musically inclined from a young age.  He took piano lessons through kindergarten and elementary school. He continued into middle school, but in order to join the band, he also learned to play the bassoon.

Thomas attended UNC School of the Arts High School to study bassoon with then Professor Saxton Rose, now Dean of the School of Music. In addition to bassoon, Thomas took the initiative to continue studying piano at UNCSA. He thrived under the tutelage of Dr. Dmitri Vorobiev the entire four years.  At UNCSA, Thomas performed in concerts and recitals, as well as took part in juries in both bassoon and piano. Additionally, he took to the mountains of North Carolina to attend the Glickman-Popkin Bassoon Camp in the summers of 2019 and 2021.  In those same summers, he also participated in the Lee University International Piano Festival.

Thomas returned home for college and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Piano Performance at UNCW.  His piano teacher, Dr. Barry Salwen, has instilled in him an appreciation for tackling a multifaceted repertoire. Thomas has performed with distinction at departmental recitals, masterclasses with guest artists, and has contributed his talents to musical productions. He also occasionally volunteers at St. Mark’s Parish to play piano and bassoon during Mass and holiday celebrations.