The Rhythmic World of Koji Kondo, Maestro of Mario

His work for Nintendo has created some of the world’s most recognizable melodies. The secret? ‘Honesty.’ 

Read about Koji's work and legacy ahead of our 2024 Pops concert, Game Knight.

Read the Washington Post article

Petrie School of Music Student, Jordan Owen, Honored As Conducting Fellow For The 2024-25 Season

Music Director John Young Shik Concklin is thrilled to announce Jordan Owen as Conducting Fellow for the upcoming Philharmonic Season.

Jordan Owen, 22, currently in his fourth year at the Petrie School of Music at Converse University, is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Theory and Composition with a concentration in Music History and a Performance Certificate. Jordan currently studies composition with Dr. Scott Robbins and Dr. David Berry, and cello with Kathleen Foster.

Jordan’s musical journey began in the church youth choir in Flagler County, Florida, where he discovered the power of music through gospel and negro spirituals. Before attending Converse University, he began his formal musical training with the Jacksonville Youth Symphony and the Flagler Youth Orchestra.

Jordan’s journey into conducting has been marked by his relentless pursuit of learning the orchestral repertoire and commitment to lifelong growth. He continues to seek mentorship and private study with John Young Shik Concklin, participating in prestigious workshops including the Maestri Series with Gary Lewis, The Art of Conducting Workshop with David Rudge, and the International Conductors Workshop.

Jordan aims to further refine his conducting skills by clarity and a profound connection to the music.

Quick Q&A:

Q: As well as being an aspiring conductor, you're a composer as well. How does this impact your conducting, and how does conducting impact your compositions?

A: I've noticed a strong connection between my roles as composer and conductor, especially when studying scores. With my composer hat on, I analyze the compositional techniques to understand how the music is created. When I switch to my conductor hat, I use this understanding to bring the piece to life, guiding the orchestra to interpret and perform the music as intended. These roles complement each other, enhancing my approach to both creating and interpreting music.

Q: What are the types of things you enjoy outside of music?

A: Outside of music, I enjoy working out and running. I also love grilling and hosting barbecues for my close friends

Visit Jordan's Personal Website

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FOR OUR ENTIRE 2024-25 SEASON ARE NOW ON SALE!

From Berlioz to Bluegrass, we have something for the whole family to enjoy. Our full concert lineup for the 2024-25 Season is now on sale for individual ticket purchases!

If you want to purchase tickets for multiple concerts, consider being a season subscriber and save some cash! Options below....

Be Smart. Buy Online.

Save yourself the headache of purchasing tickets at the box office, and buy your tickets online in advance! Same fees apply at the box office as they do online.

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Secure Your 2024-2025 Season Subscription!

Whether you're a returning subscriber or newcomer, there's something for everyone across our four main concert series!

For the 24/25 Season, our goal was to curate a series of concerts that resonated with the diverse tapestry of Spartanburg. Whether it be a narrative, a notable figure, a musical composition, a historical moment, a cultural tradition, or an emotional resonance, we aimed to encapsulate the essence of Spartanburg through music. Our lineup reflects this ambition, featuring a rich variety including Baroque, Bluegrass, Blues, a whimsical "Game Knight" themed performance inspired by video games and movies, a festive Holiday special, a collaborative event with the library and planetarium, Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique, and an original composition incorporating texts from local writers such as Peter B. Kay, among others. We take pride in this season's offerings and believe they will resonate deeply with the community of Spartanburg, inviting everyone to join us in celebration.

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Benefits of Being a Subscriber

• Best Seats at the Best Prices - Secure your seats before single tickets go on sale during the Summer. Series subscribers enjoy the same seats all season long and save on every ticket.
• Schedule Freedom - Schedule conflict? No problem. Just exchange your tickets for any other subscription concert within the same series. There are no ticket exchange fees for subscribers. Just give the Philharmonic a call if you want to exchange and we’ll handle the dirty work.
• Season Savings - Want more for less? Subscribers save 10% Off regular ticket prices on top of higher box office processing fees.

Compose Your Own Season Is Back!

Can’t make all the concerts? Or are you just a little bit picky? We get it. With our CYO Season you can mix and match our concerts to your liking. Pair a big symphony concert from our Zimmerli Series with some toe tapping bluegrass, followed by some slick jazz at Espresso. The choice is yours! Just make sure you pick at least THREE concerts across our concert series.

This option is great for first time subscribers or for those who want to save money.  You can be a Philharmonic subscriber for as low as $60!

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