New concertmaster for Philharmonic

The Fox Valley Philharmonic has announced the appointment of Casey McGrath of Joliet as concertmaster for the 2008 season.

McGrath began playing violin at age 9 and studying privately with violinist Jesus Florido at the age of 17. She was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons (1993-2001), and the Protege Philharmonic for its summer season in 2001.

McGrath completed her Bachelor of Music degree at Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts in Indianapolis, where she was a student of Larry Shapiro. She received her Master of Music degree in December from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she studied with both Kurt Sassmannshaus and Brittany MacWilliams.

While at Butler, McGrath held principal positions with the Butler Symphony Orchestra and was an active member of the Jordan College of Fine Arts Composer's Orchestra, the New Millennium Philharmonic, and the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, as well as a regular substitute for the Lafayette, Kokomo and Marion Symphony Orchestras.

She was awarded second prize in 2003 for the JCFA Concerto Competition, and performed as rehearsal soloist for Corey Cervocek with the New World Youth Symphony Orchestra of Indianapolis. In 2005, she joined the Symphony Orchestra of the Pacific in British Columbia for its summer season and appeared the following year with the Opera Theater and Lucca Festival Orchestra in Lucca, Italy. While at CCM, she was an active chamber musician and member of the Philharmonia Orchestra.

"I am extremely delighted to welcome Ms. McGrath to the position of concertmaster," said Jason R. Palmer, Music Director of the Fox Valley Philharmonic. "She brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic talent to the post. I look forward to working with her during the coming season."

McGrath will make her debut with the Fox Valley Philharmonic on Feb. 24 in the "Music for the Living Room" concert scheduled for 3 p.m. in the Crimi Auditorium at Aurora University. McGrath will not only play with the string orchestra on the program but will be joined by Batavia pianist Edita Eppolito and Aurora cellist Sara Schnoor in performing movements from Clara Schumann's "Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano."

"This is such an enthusiastic, dedicated group and I'm proud to be part of it," said McGrath. "It's so rewarding to perform in a group with members whose hearts are so involved in their music."

The Fox Valley Philharmonic is a community orchestra sponsored by The Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance, which also operates the Fox Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras and the Access to Music program for underprivileged children. Members of the orchestra represent 17 communities including Aurora, Batavia, Carol Stream, Downers Grove, Elgin, Geneva, Hoffman Estates, Montgomery, Naperville, North Aurora, Oswego, Pingree Grove, Plano, St. Charles, Sterling, Westchester and Western Springs.

Tickets for the Feb. 24 concert are available by calling (630) 879-8018.