Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Announces David Coucheron as Recipient of The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has announced Concertmaster David Coucheron is the new recipient of The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair. The chair, which was first announced in January 2011, was established with a $1.85 million endowment gift from the Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation. Mr. Coucheron was awarded The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair at the Orchestra's annual meeting on Monday, May 14, 2012.

The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair is awarded, based on merit, for a period of five years to an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musician who demonstrates excellence in musical artistry, leadership, collegiality, and community engagement. The chair may be granted to any tenured Orchestra member, including those who already occupy a named chair. Recipients will be awarded a one-time $10,000 stipend at the start of their five-year term as the honoree, to be utilized for professional development.

"It is such an honor to be named the recipient of The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair," said Mr. Coucheron. "The Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the arts in the Atlanta community and I am very appreciative of their continued support of the Atlanta Symphony. Their ongoing advocacy efforts have a tremendous impact on our Orchestra and our city."

"Mrs. Reeder called Atlanta home for most of her life and wholly understood the value a fine orchestra can have to a growing city," Brian Frank, Co-Trustee of the Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation, has said. "Building upon her long-time support of the Woodruff Arts Center and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair is an exceptional tribute to her love of music. The Foundation is delighted that her name and her generosity will be preserved in such a meaningful way."

"We are incredibly grateful to the Mabel Dorn Reeder Foundation for their generous support," said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President Stanley E. Romanstein, Ph.D. "I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of The Mabel Dorn Reeder Honorary Chair than our concertmaster, David Coucheron. In just two seasons with the Atlanta Symphony, he has demonstrated he is an incredible asset to this organization - through his passion, musicianship, innovative spirit, and commitment to music education and the Atlanta community. David perfectly exemplifies what this Orchestra stands for."

David Coucheron joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster in September 2010.
Originally from Oslo, Norway, Mr. Coucheron began playing violin at the age of three. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from The Curtis Institute of Music, his Master of Music from The Juilliard School, and his Master of Musical Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, studying with teachers including Igor Ozim, Aaron Rosand, Lewis Kaplan, and David Takeno.