Kristen Holritz
The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera announced today that Kristen Holritz has been selected as the new principal flute player, replacing Janet Hale, who is retiring after 40 years performing with the orchestra.
On Aug. 27 and 28, 48 flutists auditioned for the top spot in the CSO, and came from all across the country and Canada. Holritz was selected after three rounds of auditions. CSO’s Music Director, Kayoko Dan, was thrilled with the quality of musicians who auditioned. "It was a very difficult audition process, as many of the candidates are talented, but the committee did come to a unanimous decision with Kristen Holritz as the new Principal Flute of the CSO.
She is a wonderful musician with flawless technique and beautiful tone, and she demonstrated sensitivity to different styles of musical excerpts. We are excited to introduce her to the community very soon."
Flutist Kristen Holritz made her solo debut with the United States Air Force Band in 2005 as winner of the Colonel George S. Howard Young Artist Competition. In 2008, she soloed with the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra, and in spring of 2013 was featured as a concerto competition winner with the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, winner of the Atlanta Flute Club Young Artist Competition, and received third prize in the MidSouth Flute Festival Young Artist Competition. Previous summer engagements have included the Festival Institute at Round Top, the MasterWorks Festival and National Music Festival. Ms. Holritz performs extensively as a chamber musician with Schaafritz, a duo with her husband violinist Josh Holritz. Ms. Holritz received a BM from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with Tadeu Coelho, an MM from The Juilliard School with Robert Langevin, and has been studying for the past year at University of Georgia with Angela Jones-Reus. Ms. Holritz thoroughly enjoys private teaching and is Adjunct Flute Professor at Truett-McConnell College.
“The audition process is always so rigorous, but utterly worth it when you come out on the other end,” said Ms. Holritz. “I am truly privileged to have the opportunity to make music here in Chattanooga this season. It is a thrill to know that I will be joining such enthusiastic colleagues in the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera family, whose passion and dedication is that of bringing joy to the community through music.”
Retiring principal flute, Janet Hale, will continue to be employed by the CSO as the music librarian.