William GE is winner OF LOWELL PHILHARMONIC Orchestra’s

2024 Jeanne Selander Memorial Concerto Competition

William Ge, sixteen-year-old pianist, has been named the winner of the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2024 Jeanne Selander Concerto Competition.  Mr. Ge will perform as the featured soloist with The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra at the orchestra’s Family Concert on March 16, 2024, 2pm at Fusion Church, 125 Mt. Hope Street, Lowell, MA.

Mr. Ge performed Chopin Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, 1st movement.   He is a junior at Philips Andover. After winning the Albert M. Greenfield Concerto Competition at age eleven, William debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra in October 2022, an appearance that was highlighted in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  William’s most recent achievements include winning the highest prize at the 2023 Jacob Flier International Piano Competition, First Place at the 2023 NEC Prep Concerto Competition, and Second Place and the Chopin Award at the 2023 MTNA National Senior Piano Competition. William is a 3rd-year recipient of the Chopin Foundation’s Chopin Scholarship, a 2023 National YoungArts Competition winner in Classical Music, and an NPR” From the Top” Fellow of 2023-2024. Recently, William made his concerto debuts with the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Bravura Philharmonic Orchestra. In December, he performed two solo concerts for the 2023-2024 “Chopin for All” concert series in Florida. He currently studies piano with Jonathan Bass, having previously studied with Ya-Fei Chuang, John Perry, Natalie Zhu and the late Joy Kiszely.

Marshunda Smith, LPO Music Director, noted: “There was an impressive tableau of concertos presented this year, which only highlights the growing richness of music education in the Merrimack area.”  She added “Will (Ge) showed the musicality of a professional musician with years of experience performing. His phrasing of the different characters in his left and right hand demonstrated the intellect and subtleness that Chopin wrote while being aware of how the orchestral accompaniment interacts with the solo line. His technical ability, musicality, and emotional presentation shined brighter than the other auditioners.”

Honorable mention

Sofia Hernandez-Williams, cello, was awarded Honorable Mention for her performance of the Haydn Cello Concerto in C, 1st movement. Sofia is 10 years old and in 4th grade.  Honorable Mention was also awarded to Isabella Kong, piano, for her performance of Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor, 1st movement.  Isabella is a sophomore at Nobel and Greenough School.

Our holiday concert ‘Season of Hope: Musical Celebrations Around the World’ was opened with the Akwaaba Drum and Dance Ensemble who joined the LPO in performing “African Noel”. Their energetic and exciting performance of authentic African music was exhilarating!

Marshunda Smith took the podium for the first time as LPO’s Music Director and led the orchestra with her unique and vibrant vision of this annual holiday celebration.

Lowell Fire Chief Phil Charron narrated’Twas the Night Before Christmas’ with engaging warmth.

The LPO raised $250 for House of Hope and $250 for Dwelling House of Hope through a raffle of tabletop holiday arrangements from local florists. Many thanks to A Belvidere Florist, Wood Bros Florists, Sykes the Florist and Greenhouses, and Flowers by Albert for their generous donations and beautiful arrangements.

The concert was a perfect event to start the holiday season!

Was There Dancing! Yes - It’s the only way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

The LPO celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food and dancing! We were thrilled to have Neal Hampton on the podium as Guest Conductor! François and Dawn from Salsa-In Lowell treated the audience with their cha-cha moves. Diego Leonardo, Director of Latinx Community Center for Empowerment, masterfully led the LPO in “Amparito Roca” as Guest Guest Conductor! After the concert the audience was delighted with the food from Gary’s Tipico (Andover Street- check them out!) and the Camelia Latin Jazz Trio. And, yes, there was dancing! Thank you Mayor Chau and Somong for celebrating with us! Kevin Coughlin, President of Lowell Sun Charities, honored us by attending. Also present were our friends from Enterprise Bank. State Representative Vanna Howard, was in the audience too! We must mention our talented and dedicated musicians who were the highlight of the concert! Thank you to Kevin Harkins for these incredible photos.

SUMMER POPS AT SHEDD PARK 2023 was a huge success! The rain held off and the music was wonderful! We had a great crowd for the concert. Our guests were the students from the Hellenic American Academy who sang and danced traditional and popular Greek dances under the direction of Maria Booras and Andreas Tzineris. . President of the Hellenic American Societies of New England - Bill Kafkas - spoke to the audience about the Kalamata -Lowell sister city relationship. He also spoke about the importance and distinguished reputation of the Hellenic American Academy. Our Music Director, Thomas Kociela, conducted his last concert with the LPO as he steps down from the podium this year. It was fitting that his last concert was at Shedd Park because his first concert as Music Director with the LPO was at Shedd Park in 2019. Mayor Chau, one of Thomas' biggest fans, presented Thomas with a citation citing all the good work Thomas has done with the orchestra for the City. Kevin Coughlin, President of the Lowell Sun Charities presented the orchestra with a generous donation of $5000! Also spotted in the audience: Executive Director of the Whistler House Sara Bogosian, Former Chair of the Lowell Cultural Council Joe Pyne. Summer Pops at Shedd Park for 2023 ended with the stirring rendition of the Armed Forces Salute where members of the armed forces community were recognized for their service followed by The Stars and Stripes Forever! Thank you Kevin Harkins of Harkins Photography for these beautiful photos!

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Inspiring the greater Lowell community with quality musical performances since 1987, the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra continues to provide audiences with lively classical and pops music each season. We offer casual, lighthearted concerts, making audiences of all ages comfortable and engaged.

Comprised of passionate semi-professional and amateur musicians, the LPO not only offers an outlet for local talent, but fosters future generations of musicians and music lovers by actively encouraging area youth to become involved with local music. The LPO enriches youth through the appreciation of concerts, skill development, and showcasing local young musicians’ excellence.