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
Auditions for the 2024-2025 season will be held on April 2nd and 3rd on campus at the University of North Alabama.
For more information please contact Dr. Petrosyan at SPetrosyan@una.edu.
Musicians
VIOLIN I
Christina Volz Stomackin – CM*
The Harriett C. Edwards Chair
Fresly Umana Chaves – AP
Joe Ortiguera – ACM
Rebecca Marino
Chase Evans
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
Amanda Wilton – P*
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
Molly Clayton
OBOE
Lara Lay – P*
The Marcia McWilliams
Bystrom Chair
Jesse Hernandez – AP
CLARINET
Meghan Merciers – P*
Kelsey Paquin – AP*
Payten Perry
Grace Waldrop
Brandi Tucker
PIANO
Emma Best – P
Laurelie Gheesling*
Karen Cantrell*
BASSOON
Johnna Safford – P
Selwyn Jones – AP
Pat Gunter
HORN
Jordan Redd – P*
The Suzanne and Barry
Morris Chair
Emily Clay – AP
Evan Curtis
Alyssa Irons
TRUMPET
Joe Gray – P*
Della Smithson – AP
Austin Shelton
Marcus Hardy
TENOR TROMBONE
Dylan Mashburn – P
Josiah McBee – AP
BASS TROMBONE
Chris Healy – P
TUBA
Zack Corpus – P
TIMPANI
Caleb Tonini – P
PERCUSSION
Yun Ju Pan– P*
Thomas Baker – AP
Simon Edwards
Gracie Martin
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 – Rick Smith
- Vice President – Brad Clasgens
- Treasurer – Buddy Bernstein
- Secretary – Marie Fields
Board Members
- Sara Lynn Baird
- David Black
- Michael Broder
- Brad Clasgens
- Maray Daniel
- Lisa Eckl
- Kathleen Edwards
- Barb Hendricks
- Eric Kirkman
- Barry Morris
- Whitney O’Neal
- Sara White
- Cain Yarbrough
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. Audition Dates for 2024-2025 Season – April 2nd and 3rd, 2024. For more information email Dr. Suren Petrosyan: spetrosyan@una.edu
