Farewell Concert for Diablo Symphony Conductor Who Shattered the Classical Music World's Glass Ceiling

Joyce Johnson Hamilton will end her 30 years as music director and conductor of the Diablo Symphony by performing in concert with violin virtuoso Linda Wang on Sunday, May 15.

The afternoon program at the Lesher Center will feature works by Tchaikovsky and Brahms. 

Hamilton’s departure comes two years before the Diablo Symphony celebrates its 50thanniversary.  It is the oldest organized group of professionally trained musicians in Contra Costa County.

Hamilton is one of the few female music directors and conductors of symphony orchestras nationally. Her replacement will chosen from among five guest conductors, each of whom will lead a concert during the symphony’s 2011-12 season.

Next year's season starts October 2 with a concert under the baton of Geoffrey Gallegos, the conductor and music director of the Kensington Symphony Orchestra.

The successful conductor, chosen by a committee of Diablo Symphony musicians, will be named at the conclusion of the season.

Wang, an associate professor of violin and chamber music at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, made her professional début as a violinist with Zubin Mehta and the New York Philharmonic at age 9. She has performed throughout the world.

With the Diablo Symphony, she will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 

Hamilton will conduct the orchestra in Dances from Galanta by Zoltan Kodaly and Symphony No. 4 in E MInor, Op. 98 by Brahms.

The performance will be at 2 p.m. at the Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Drive. You can buy tickets by stopping by the box, calling 925-943-SHOW (7569) or going online at www.lesherartscenter.com.