A couple of years ago, I attended the Columbus State University convocation of the Schwob School of Music. It was probably the first week of classes and I don’t know why I even went.
Probably because I was invited by someone and I wanted to hear some of the students’ performances.
One violinist blew me away.
His name is Nadir Khashimov and I suggest you remember that name.
He was incredible. Really, truly incredible.
I got a note recently from Rex Whiddon, who used to be the director of the Schwob School and is now director of major gifts and university stewardship.
“Violinist Nadir Khashimov, CSU Schwob School of Music Woodruff Scholar and a student of professor Sergiu Schwartz until fall 2010, currently enrolled at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, was awarded the Grand Prize at the Yankelevitch International Violin Competition in Omsk, Russia,” Whiddon wrote. “As the competition winner, Nadir received a cash prize of $40,000 and a violin made by Italian violin maker Eugenio Degani in 1894, valued at $75,000. In addition, Nadir will be engaged for a series of prestigious concerts in Europe and Asia and will also appear as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra performing the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto.
“Nadir is most grateful for the generous support he received during his studies at CSU.”
I know this is just the beginning for this young man.
Congratulations!
ImagiCon coming to Columbus?
This isn’t exactly in the arts, but there is art in the science-fiction/fantasy world.
I met Cathy Bowden a few years ago when one of the “Star Wars” movies was opening and Cathy and her husband organized a mini-convention at Hollywood Connection.
They got several “Star Wars” novelists to appear as well as costumed people.
It was great fun.
For years, she was also in charge of the “Star Wars” portion of DragonCon in Atlanta. I think she said she’s cut back on that part of her workload.
The past two years, she’s spent her energy as the event director on ImagiCon, a three-day science-fiction/fantasy convention that’s been in Birmingham.
The convention is skipping this year, and will be in the spring of 2012.
“We are looking at several venues right now in Columbus,” she said. “We had a wonderful time in Birmingham, but it was decided to bring the convention closer to home.”
She is looking for staffers, volunteers and sponsors, and says the response in Columbus and Phenix City has been very encouraging.
Cathy is holding an Open House at 3-6 p.m. Saturday in the Columbus Public Library, 3000 Macon Road.
E-mail Abby Sadler, ImagiCon vice chairman at abby.sadler@imagicon.org or Cathy at cathy.bowden@imagicon.org
