
THE GIVENS COMMUNITIES MASTERWORKS SERIES
Masterworks 5: Dedication
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2027
2:00 P.M. AND 8:00 P.M.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ASHEVILLE
Darko Butorac, conductor
Jeffery Whaley, horn
Tade Addis, organ
“What I have here accomplished, I will never achieve again.” Saint-Saëns knew his Organ Symphony was his pinnacle: a monumental work that gathers everything he had to give and the perfect centerpiece for a centennial milestone. As First Baptist Church of Asheville marks its 100th anniversary, we celebrate with a program worthy of the occasion: Respighi’s Gli Uccelli (written the year the church was dedicated), Glière’s soaring horn concerto, and Saint-Saëns’s masterpiece on the sanctuary organ. With guest artists from our own community, we are proud to celebrate a century of artistry, faith, and connection.
Respighi: Gli Uccelli (The Birds)
Glière: Concerto for Horn
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3, “Organ”
Click the button above to purchase tickets online, or give our box office a call at (828) 254-7046. Box office hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday.
The Givens Communities Masterworks Series is generously sponsored by:
EVENT SPONSORS
CONCERT SPONSOR
Diane and Rich Byers in memory of Katherine Armitage and Jack Jones
GUEST ARTIST SPONSOR
Mountaine Jonas
Since 2012, Jeffery Whaley has held the Principal Horn chair of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, along with his full time position as Principal Horn of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Principal Horn of the Symphony of the Mountains. In high demand as an orchestral musician, he has recently made guest principal appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional Dominicana, among others. Jeffery began his studies at Tennessee Tech University with Prof. Arthur LaBar and later studied at Wichita State University with Dr. Nicholas Smith. While in the Great Plains, Jeffery held positions in the Wichita Symphony, Wichita Grand Opera, Omaha Symphony, and the Wichita Brass Quintet.
In a collaboration with pianist Dr. Chih-Long Hu and oboist Dr. Aryn Sweeney, Jeffery recorded the album “Trifecta Trio Plays Koetsier, Niederberger, Danner, and Bowen” with Blue Griffin Records (2014). He can also be heard on recordings of the Dallas Wind Symphony and on many studio recordings including TV series, motion picture, amusement park, and video game soundtracks.
Originally from Sevierville, TN, Jeffery now resides in Knoxville with Bernice, his highly-personable ragdoll cat. When not playing horn, you’ll likely find him teaching horn students, lounging on the closest beach, exploring a new hobby such as rollerskating, or wandering in the lush East Tennessee forests foraging for wild mushrooms.
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