Symphony
Mission Statement
The mission of the Shoals Symphony Orchestra at UNA is to enhance the cultural life of all residents of the Shoals area through musical performances and educational programs.
History of The Shoals Symphony at UNA
The Shoals Symphony at UNA started in 1979 as a violin teaching program for students of all ages at the Tennessee Valley Art Center. The program grew and added new teachers, eventually developing into a thriving youth orchestra program. In 1985, the Tennessee Valley String School and Community Orchestra unified to form the Shoals Symphony Orchestra (the Association) with programs including the Symphony Orchestra, the Youth Orchestra, the Beginning Strings Orchestra, the Shoals Boy’s Choir, and the Shoals Symphony Chorus. Over time, the choral programs became independent, and the Peery Center for Orchestral Studies at UNA is undergoing a revision to form the UNA String Project for educational outreach. In 2002, the Shoals Symphony at UNA emerged through an affiliation agreement between the Symphony Association and the University Of North Alabama. The symphony conducts drives for annual memberships, contributions, concert sponsors, and ticket sales. The orchestra is recognized as semi-professional by the Alabama State Council of The Arts, and the University of North Alabama has instituted orchestral performance awards for collegiate musicians. The symphony seeks to create an exciting symphonic experience for newer generations while bringing a refreshed energy to the traditions of the orchestral repertoire.
Audition
For more information please contact jeremy_smith@shoalssymphony.org.
Musicians
VIOLIN I
Christina Volz Stomackin – CM*
The Harriett C. Edwards Chair
Joe Ortiguera – ACM
Rebecca Marino
Idorenyin Parson-Maddox
Mary Elizabeth Howze
Cademon Garcia
VIOLIN II
Veronica Marino – P
Sarah Cate Hatley
Gretchen Perry
Darralyn Beckwith
Kimi Samson
Sarah Browning
Samantha Huggins
Alisa Gonzales
VIOLA
Donna Ruiz
Angela Witherby – AP
Paige Abbott
Jacob Naggy
Josephine Cox
Anthony Owen
CELLO
Patty Pilon – P
Amanda Sanchez-Sandoval– AP
Emma Grace Davis
Kevin Lay
Shelby Camp
Shaun Vickers
Aleesa Parnell
Rebekah Dickson
STRING BASS
Tyler Kuntz – P
Dean Gardner – AP
Lisa Armfield
FLUTE
Whitney O’Neal – P*
Charles Page – AP
Anna Joy Myrick
OBOE
Lara Lay – P*
The Marcia McWilliams
Bystrom Chair
Ashley Finkelstein
CLARINET
Meghan Merciers – P*
Kelsey Paquin – AP*
Nathan Curry
Natalie Spence
PIANO
Emma Best – P
Laurelie Gheesling*
Karen Cantrell*
BASSOON
Johnna Safford – P
Selwyn Jones – AP
HORN
Jordan Redd – P*
The Suzanne and Barry
Morris Chair
TRUMPET
Joe Gray – P*
Della Smithson – AP
Marcus Hardy
TENOR TROMBONE
BASS TROMBONE
Chris Healy – P
TUBA
Zack Corpus – P
TIMPANI
Caleb Tonini – P
PERCUSSION
Yun Ju Pan– P*
Simon Edwards
HARP
Katheryn Hoppe-McQueen – P*
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The Shoals Symphony Board of Directors is comprised of up to 19 members, 4 of which are officers. Members can serve 3 year terms with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms.
Officers
- President – Cain Yarbrough
- Vice President – Brad Clasgens
- Treasurer – Ashley Finkelstein
- Secretary – Paige Smith
Board Members
- Michael Broder
- Yi-Min Cai
- Brad Clasgens
- Maray Daniel
- Lisa Eckl
- Stanley Goldstein
- Jason Grigsby
- Barb Hendricks
- Maurice McCaney
- Allison Mefford
- Meghan Merciers
- Michael Mudler
- Whitney O’Neal
- Shelley Wolf
Become a Member
A select few highly-qualified musicians are annually invited to perform with the Shoals Symphony Orchestra at UNA based on auditions evaluated by the Music Director, participating UNA music faculty, and the Audition Committee. The Audition Committee of the Shoals Symphony Orchestra at UNA reserves the right to choose candidates based upon the highest professional standards.
