Higdon shines as first female conductor at U.

Jennifer Higdon often finds herself at the center of attention. Higdon is the first female conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra in its 100 year history. And last night, all eyes were on her once again as she conducted the orchestra's rehearsal in the Annenberg Center. "The field is very male-dominated," said Higdon, who also conducts the University's Wind Ensemble. "But we are starting to see more women around. I've been in Philadelphia for eight years, and there has only been one female conductor at the Philadelphia Orchestra." But Higdon's gender is certainly not her only distinguishing feature. The talented musician also teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, one of the top two music schools in the country, according to Marsha Berner, the University Orchestra concert manager. "[Higdon] is a very unusual combination," Berner said. "She conducts, composes music that is played around the world and teaches at the Curtis Institute." Higdon is also actively working on a compact disc of her chamber works which will be released by I Virtuosi Records later this year. "Jennifer is a very wonderful, lively, energetic woman," said Jay Reise, the Music Department chairperson. "We are delighted to have her as the conductor this year." Higdon recently completed her doctorate in composition at the University. She received her bachelor's degree in flute performance from Bowling Green State University, where she assisted Richard Spano, a former assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony. She then attended the Curtis Institute where she received her Artist Diploma. But her education was only the first step in a career in music that has already been recognized on numerous occasions by her peers. Higdon has won the Young Composers Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). And she has won the prestigious Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. One of her works, "Steeley Pause," has already been released on compact disc. Even with all her accomplishments and awards, Higdon still has a profound appreciation for what she is doing at the University. "I love this orchestra. It sounds great," said Higdon, whose award-winning compositions have been performed at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and at the White House. This fall Higdon will be conducting four concerts for the Symphony Orchestra and the Wind Ensemble. The schedule includes Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Barber's Adagio For Strings and Holst's Jupiter and Mars from The Planets. The young conductor said she wants to reach out to people through her music. "I've always loved music," she said. "It has the ability to give something to everybody. It's a great way to communicate."