Howard County Arts Council Honors Howie Award Winners

The Howard County Arts Council will honor its 2014 Howie Award winners at the 18th Annual Celebration of the Arts on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at the Peter and Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD. The Celebration gala affords members of Howard County’s arts, education, government, and business communities the opportunity to gather to honor individuals and businesses that have made meaningful contributions to the arts in Howard County.

The Howie Awards are presented annually by the Arts Council to an Outstanding Artist who has contributed a high level of talent and vision to the artistic life of the community; an Outstanding Arts Educator who has made an exceptional contribution to arts education in Howard County; and an Outstanding Business or Community Supporter that has made a significant impact on the arts in Howard County.

This year’s honoree for Outstanding Artist is Peter BarenBregge. A professional musican who performs on saxophones, flutes, and clarinets, Peter has performed for kings, queens, presidents, and millions worldwide in the finest concert and opera halls, jazz clubs, and international jazz festivals.

Peter has done extensive recording for radio, television, and record singles, collaborating with such top artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Patti LaBelle, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, and many others.

He is the former musical director, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, and featured soloist with the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note, the premier jazz unit of the U.S. Air Force Band. Prior to his USAF career, Peter taught instrumental music in Wilmington, Delaware. He has recorded his own highly-rated albums PF Flyer, Point of Grace and A Thousand Eyes, all on the Summit Records label.

Currently Peter is the instrumental jazz editor for Alfred Music, a Grammy voting member, and the musical director of the Columbia Jazz Band. He earned a BS in music education from West Chester University.

Greg English is the 2014 honoree for Outstanding Arts Educator. Currently in his 15th year of teaching, Greg is the art department chair as well as the Teacher Development Liaison at Reservoir High School. His teaching experiences span all levels from elementary to high school. Greg currently teaches advanced level studio classes and advanced placement art history.

Greg was named MAEA Elementary Educator of the Year in 2005 and was recently nominated for the Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year Award. Greg serves on the county leadership cadre and the county art curriculum-writing committee. He has presented on program development and using technology in the art classroom at several county in-services, colleges, and state and national art education conferences. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Technology in Education from Walden University.

The honoree for Outstanding Business Supporter of the Arts is Howard Bank, a full service commercial bank focused on making a difference in the communities it serves in Greater Baltimore. Recognizing that the arts provide significant economic benefits, personal development, and civic pride, Howard Bank invests time, talent, and resources in supporting arts organizations and activities. “We believe,” says President & CEO Mary Ann Scully, “the arts are essential for full community life.” Following her example, Howard Bank’s board of directors, management, and team members serve in volunteer leadership positions at nonprofits, both large and small.

Howard Bank’s philanthropic work has directly benefited a number of arts organizations including the Columbia Festival of the Arts, Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, RepStage, Howard County Arts Council, Center Stage, and Walters Art Museum.

In the past 10 years, Howard Bank has grown from a smart idea to a full service community bank serving an ever-growing business community with thirteen full service branches in Annapolis, Aberdeen, Bel Air, Columbia, Elkton, Ellicott City, Maple Lawn, Rising Sun, Towson and Peach Bottom, Pennsylvania as well as regional offices in Howard, Harford, Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties and mortgage operations throughout the Central Maryland area.

Yong Ku Ahn will be honored posthumously with a special Legacy in the Arts award. The first Music Director of the Columbia Orchestra, Professor Ahn had a distinguished career as a violinist, conductor, and teacher. Born in Wonsan, Korea on February 18, 1928, he studied at Seoul National University, the Staatliche Hochschule fur Musik in Munich, the Mozarteum Summer Academy in Salzburg, the Akademie fur Musik in Vienna, and the Guildhall Music School in London.

In addition to conducting the Columbia Orchestra, he also led the Ahn String Sinfonietta and made numerous appearances as a guest conductor, including a Carnegie Hall performance. As a violinist Professor Ahn was the Concertmaster of both the Seoul Philharmonia and the KBS Symphony Orchestra. He served on the faculties of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and the Seoul National University in Korea. Many of his students have become internationally renowned violinists.

Professor Ahn was awarded the Distinguished Artist Award from the Korean Ministry of Education, was named String Teacher of the Year in 1985 by the America String Teacher’s Association, and was a Fulbright Professor in Korea in 1991.

Come help us Celebrate! The evening will begin at 6pm with a reception and silent auction of artwork in various media and styles by local artists. During the reception, partygoers will be treated to culinary delicacies from distinctive local restaurants. At 8pm, guests will enjoy the much anticipated presentations of the 2014 Howie Awards and performances from the finalists of the Rising Star Performing Artist Competition!

Tickets are $50 and $100 and are available for purchase online at www.hocoarts.org or by calling 410-313-ARTS(2787).