The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra has appointed an award-winning violinist and Nashville Symphony substitute as its next concertmaster.
Michael Chu begins his new role this month, the Terre Haute Symphony said in a news release.
Chu has placed first in numerous competitions, including the Mary West Solo Competition, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Youth Chamber Music Competition, Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition, and the Thursday Musical Young Artist Scholarship Competition. He also was a national finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Performance Competitions, the news release said.
He earned a master of music degree in violin performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a bachelor’s degree in violin performance and music education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
He also serves as principal second violin of the Evansville Philharmonic and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra in Kentucky and is a regular substitute with the Nashville Symphony, the news release said.
Chu will make his debut as the Terre Haute Symphony concertmaster at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tilson Auditorium.
He replaces Erina Buchholz, who took a position with the New World Symphony, which is based in Miami Beach, Florida.
The concertmaster is the leader of an orchestra’s first violin section and serves as the primary liaison between the conductor and the musicians.
Other appointments announced by the Terre Haute Symphony include Eva Tao as associate concertmaster, Yue Ning Foo as assistant concertmaster II, Yi-Fan Sun as principal second violin and Kyle Johnson as principal cello.