Soloists of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra

The Orchestra presents the second concert series with Soloists of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra on 30 and 31 January 2014 with soloists Laura Rodgers (English horn), Gareth Griffiths (trumpet) and Angelos Angelides (clarinet). Under the music direction of Dejan Savić, we will hear the works S. Serghi: Ikon for string orchestra, flute, clarinet and glockenspiel, Α. Copland: Quiet City for English horn, trumpet and string orchestra, W. Lutoslawski: Dance Preludes for solo clarinet and orchestra and J. V. Vorísek: Symphony in D major

The concerts will take place on Thursday 30 January 2014 at the Markideion Theatre, Paphos and on Friday 31 January 2014 at the Pallas Theatre, Paphos Gate, Nicosia. Both concerts start at 20:30.

Ticket Sales Managed by SoldOut Tickets at:
- SOEASY kiosks
- TIME OUT kiosk Paphos
- www.SoldoutTickets.com.cy

Ticket prices: €12 and €7 (18- 26 years old and pensioners)
Free entrance for children and students under 18 years old

The artists:
Laura Rodgers (English horn): Born in North Ireland in 1978, Laura Rodgers began her oboe studies at the age of 8. She graduated from the University of Manchester with a Bmus (Hons) degree, studying with Valerie Taylor. She then went on to study for a Postgraduate Diploma in Orchestral Performance at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, having studied with Richard Simpson, David Walter, Helena Gaunt and Jane Marshall. Laura has played with the Ulster Orchestra and freelanced in London. She has also played as member and concerto soloist with the European Union Chamber Orchestra and represented them playing with the Jordanian Symphony Orchestra in Amman, Jordan. Laura has been playing with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra for 10 years and enjoys teaching alongside her orchestra work. Despite all the achievements stated above, her greatest one of all is being a mother to her 2 sons, Joseph and Freddie.

Gareth Griffiths (trumpet): Born in 1978 in the small mining town of Mountain-Ash, South Wales, Gareth soon learned to appreciate the tradition of Brass Bands. He started playing the cornet at the age of seven with the local band at Cwmaman. From there he went on to play with the Tredegar Town band which represented Wales at the European Brass Band Championships. At the age of fifteen, Gareth was a finalist in the Texaco Young Musician of Wales, and also won a scholarship to the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester, where he studied trumpet with John Dickinson. Whilst at Chetham’s, Gareth was appointed solo cornet with the world famous Black Dyke Band. Following Chetham’s, Gareth studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. It was from there that he was invited to join the recently formed Cyprus State Orchestra, by the Musical Director at that time, Roland Melia. He hasn't looked back since and is very happy with his role in Cyprus as the Principal Trumpet. As well as his duty to the orchestra, Gareth is guest Principal Trumpet with the Philharmonia of the Nations Orchestra, Germany, Guest Principal Trumpet of the Manchester Camerata, England, and has performed as a soloist with the Pharos Trust. Gareth has also appeared as guest trumpet with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and the British Philharmonic Orchestra. Gareth is a keen conductor and recently made his debut conducting the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra. In his spare time Gareth is a dedicated scuba diver, captain of the Nicosia golf club and chess fanatic. Gareth is married to oboist Laura Rodgers and they have 2 young son's aged 2 and 3.

Angelos Angelides (clarinet): Born in Nicosia, he begαn clarinet and theory lessons at the age of 9. He was a member of the Cyprus State Youth Orchestra and the then Cyprus State Chamber Orchestra. He pursued further clarinet lessons at the Sychrono Odeio of Thessaloniki under Kosmas Papadopoulos. He holds a Degree in Music Studies from the Faculty of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the LRSM title and received Master classes from Petko Radev and Spiros Mourikis amongst others. He holds the position of Sub-principal at the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra since 2003. He has given recitals in Thessaloniki (1998, 2004) and Nicosia (2000, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2009). Angelos teaches clarinet at music schools in Nicosia and is currently appointed adjunct faculty at the European University Cyprus. Added to his educational work with the clarinet and chamber music activities, he has been participating in all major musical events of the island from a very young age, collaborating with household names and foreign artists alike. He composed and arranged the music for the theatre shows “Out of the blue(m)”and “Performance”, a production which represented Cyprus in the International Festival for Experimental theatre in Cairo 2005 and Spain 2006. He is a founding member of the Musicians’ Guild of the Cyprus State Orchestra.

Dejan Savic (conductor): Dejan Savic (1957), the outstanding Serbian conductor, was born in Belgrade in a family of musicians. He graduated conducting with distinction at the Academy of Music in Belgrade and received his Masters Degree at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. On a specialization course, Mr Savic was working with Mr Berislav Klobucar. Between 1985 –2000, Mr Savic was appointed Artistic Director of the oldest Serbo Jewish Choral Society "The Baruh Brothers", founded in 1879. Between 1993 -1995 he was an Artistic director of the famous "Pro Musica" chamber ensemble. During the period 1989 - 1993, Mr Savic was the Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Nis Symphony Orchestra and since 1993 he is the Principal Conductor of the Belgrade Opera and Ballet Company. Between 2001 –2004, Mr Savic was the General Manager of the Beograd Opera and Ballet Company. In 2005, he has been appointed the Superintendant of the National Theater Beograd, being the first musician on the head of this prestigious national institute of culture in its 140 years long history. In 2007 he took the position of the Opera General Manager and from 2010 he became the Opera and Ballet Chief Conductor. Mr Savic was appointed Guest Conductor to the ERT Symphony Orchestra and Choir in Athens, Greece, for four seasons. Mr Savic performed in Italy, Spain, Austria, Cyprus, Israel, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, USA, Germany, Norway, France, Portugal, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and elsewhere. For his artistic achievements he has received a number of recognitions and awards.