ASO’s Kim Allen Kluge Named One of Alexandria’s Living Legends
Posted Feb 02, 2016 | ASO News, Press Releases,
Alexandria, VA— Living Legends of Alexandria announced this year’s selections, and among them is ASO’s Music Director Kim Allen Kluge, who has served the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Alexandria community for 28 years. Living Legends honors individuals who have contributed significantly in the areas of arts, community services, civil rights, historic preservation and literacy.
Kluge transformed a fledgling community orchestra into a professional one of national acclaim. When world renowned violinist Midori selected Alexandria as one of only two cities for her Orchestra in Residencies program in 2012, The Washington Post heralded it as “a major coup” for Kluge, the ASO and high school musicians in Alexandria. “I hope I have made a lasting contribution to the city that I love so deeply,” Kluge said. “I truly have a sincere belief in the power of music to transform everyone’s life.”
Under Maestro Kluge’s direction, the Alexandria Symphony has been heralded for its outstanding musicianship, visceral and poetic music-making and innovative programming. Maestro Kluge has been a passionate advocate for music education in Alexandria, making it an essential part of the ASO’s program. Maestro Kluge’s dynamic presentational style at concerts is key to the education of his audiences. Most recently, under his Music Directorship, the ASO developed the first El Sistema-inspired program in the Washington, D.C. region, ASO Sympatico, which has been honored with a 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Education Partnership Award. Kluge has been a leader of the inter-arts movement in Washington, D.C. and has forged relationships between the ASO and the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian, the Washington Opera, the Washington Ballet, The Shakespeare Theatre, and many other leading performing arts institutions in our nation’s capital.
“We are honored to acknowledge this year’s legends for their vision, hard work, and accomplishment,” notes Living Legends of Alexandria President, Jennifer Ayers. “Their unique and significant contributions have and will continue to benefit the community for years to come.” The community is invited to meet Maestro Kluge and the 2016 Legends at a Meet the Legends Reception on March 15th at the United States Patent and Trade Office in Carlyle.
Maestro Kluge is conducting his final season with the Alexandria Symphony, which ends in May. Alexandria will have the opportunity to hear the world premiere of the American Concerto for Piano & Orchestra, composed by Kim and his wife, Kathryn Kluge, at the ASO’s season finale on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Following the conclusion of his tenure with the ASO, Maestro Kluge will be conducting nationally and internationally, and will bring his passion for education, orchestra building and innovative programming to his endeavors. He will continue his work as a composer, writing music for film, concert hall and performing artists.
About Living Legends
Living Legends of Alexandria is a non-profit organization dedicated to honor and chronicle individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria. An annual Living Legends Catalog documents the work of this year’s class of Legends through photography and journalism, and is collected by the Virginia Library and the Library of Congress. A Photography Exhibition of Living Legends will open in March in the Lobby of Alexandria City Hall. Attendees of the 2016 Meet the Legends Reception will receive the current Living Legends Catalog publication. Living Legends Exhibitions are archived by the Office of Historic Alexandria.