“A Kaleidoscope of American Music” will celebrate American musical pioneers including George Gershwin, John Williams, Atlanta composer Michael Kurth, and music from Hitchcock classics.
JOHNS CREEK, GA – Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra (JCSO) will perform “A Kaleidoscope of American Music” on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road in Johns Creek. Tickets are $22-30 for students, $38-47 for seniors, and $45-55 for adults. To purchase tickets, please visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org, click HERE, or call 678-748-5802.
Through the lens of a kaleidoscope, Music Director finalist Paul Bhasin will conduct the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra in a variety of works that honor the great musicians and musical themes from the 20th century, including George Gershwin, John Williams, and George Walker, as well as a contemporary musical visionary, Michael Kurth. This concert will feature LA Philharmonic Principal Trumpet Tom Hooten, formerly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. This concert will include the world premiere of a piece by ASO musician and composer Michael Kurth. One movement of this piece, titled “Nostalgicipation,” was composed specifically for the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra’s performance at this concert.
“There are so many exciting reasons to come to this performance, which showcases exceptional musicians with hometown Atlanta connections,” said Linda Brill, Executive Director of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. “Additionally, we will close the season with some of the most memorable music ever written from Alfred Hitchcock films Vertigo, Psycho, and North by Northwest. This concert is a must-see.”
Additionally, this concert wraps up JCSO’s 18th season, Three Maestros, One Podium, which has a primary focus of selecting the orchestra’s next Music Director. The three finalists, Henry Cheng, Howard Hsu, and Paul Bhasin, will have all conducted two concerts this season in the hopes of winning the position. Audiences have voted on their favorites, with additional input from community leaders, JCSO’s board and musicians. The orchestra expects to announce the winner in the weeks following the May 10 performance.
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About Tom Hooten
Tom Hooten began his career in 2000 with a trumpet/cornet position in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C., where he was often a featured soloist. He went on to join the Indianapolis Symphony as Assistant Principal Trumpet in 2004, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in 2006, and the LA Philharmonic in 2012. He released “Trumpet Call,” his first solo album, in 2011.
Hooten is an active soloist and has appeared with many groups, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, “The President’s Own” US Marine Band, United States Air Force Band, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a Yamaha performing artist and an adjunct assistant instructor at USC Thorton School of Music. To learn more about Tom Hooten, read his biography.
About Michael Kurth
Michael Kurth has been a member of the Atlanta Symphony bass section since 1994. Many Atlanta-area artists have commissioned and performed his works, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, the Atlanta Chamber Players, the Atlanta Young Singers, the Gwinnett Young Singers, the Morehouse College Glee Club, the Peachtree String Quartet, the Franklin Pond String Quartet, the Atlanta Contemporary Ensemble, Concert Artist Guild Award-winning violist Jennifer Stumm, the Georgia Sinfonia, the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra, the DeKalb Symphony, the Georgia State University Wind Ensemble, and movement artists gloATL.
He was named “Best New Composer” by Atlanta Magazine in 2017, and he has been awarded Artist-in-Residence fellowships from the Hermitage and Serenbe. Additionally, Kurth teaches bass at Emory University. To learn more about Michael Kurth, read his biography.
About Paul Bhasin
Dr. Paul Bhasin serves as Director of Orchestral Studies at Emory University where he holds the inaugural Donna & Marvin Schwartz Professorship in Music. In this capacity, he conducts the Emory University Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, leads Emory’s Music in Italy program, and teaches conducting. He has led honor orchestras and bands (including at the All-State level) and served as a guest orchestral clinician throughout the United States, and presented at national conferences including the Midwest Orchestra Clinic and the National Music Teachers Association Conference. Bhasin was named Music Director of the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra in 2022. To learn more about Paul Bhasin, read his biography.
About Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra
The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, founded by Music Director J. Wayne Baughman, provides world-class musical enrichment for the community of Johns Creek through concert series performances, as well as additional educational programs and special events each year. Now in its 18th season, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional symphonic orchestra composed of professional musicians from all over the greater metro Atlanta area. To learn more about Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, please visit www.johnscreeksymphony.org.
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