Media release from the Rome Symphony Orchestra:
This weekend, the Rome Symphony Orchestra will highlight the talent of emerging virtuosos selected as winners of the 2024 Young Artist Competition. As part of its presentation of “The Magic of Mozart, The Brilliance of Brahms” on Nov. 16, the RSO will officially recognize tenor Ben Dixon and pianist Darrina Johnson, who will each perform pieces by other renowned composers with the full orchestra. This special evening of classical masterworks and rising talent will take the Rome City Auditorium stage at 7 p.m.
“Ben has a beautiful and mature tenor voice, and his two selections, from Massenet and Mozart, show the range of his artistic ability,” said Jeffrey Dokken, Conductor and Music Director of the Rome Symphony Orchestra. “Darrina plays with an ability and artistry far beyond her years. The Grieg concerto she will present is a massive undertaking, and she performs it with power and finesse.”
Ben Dixon is a 21-year-old senior at Berry College, where he studies biology and music under Dr. Scott Willis. The tenor made his debut with the Berry College Opera in 2021 as Eisenstein in Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus.” His repertoire includes “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted” from Handel’s “Messiah” and “For the Flowers Are Great Blessings” from Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb.” He placed first in the Classical – TBB Voices category in the GA-NATS competition in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and was selected to sing in a master class with operatic tenor Jay Hunter Morris. In addition to the Berry College Opera, Dixon is a member of the Berry Singers, Berry Voices, and the school’s premier barbershop quartet, the Berrytones.
Darrina Johnson, a 17-year-old senior at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, began playing the piano as a young child and currently studies with Dr. Lucy DeSa. She was invited to join the Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra as an orchestral pianist and has also accompanied the ASFA choir. Johnson has placed first in several competitions, including the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs junior auditions, the Music Teachers National Association state auditions, and the Lois Pickard Concerto Competition, as well as the Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt, where she won the local, state, regional, and international categories. As one of the winners of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society Competition IX, she was invited to perform at Carnegie Hall last summer. Johnson has taken master classes with Yakov Kasman, Eun-Hee Park, Anthony Pattin and Terrence Wilson.
“Every year, the Young Artist Competition draws some of the most talented young musicians from across the Southeast,” added Dokken. “We are honored to present our fabulous 2024 winners — two of the finest we have ever had — as special guest performers at this concert.”
RSO guests are encouraged to purchase prorated season ticket packages and sponsorships to take full advantage of all that the Symphony has to offer. For the full schedule of concerts in the 2024-25 “That’s Entertainment” season, tickets, and more information, visit www.RomeSymphony.org or call 706-291-7967.
