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.
“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.”
