After 35 Years, ASO Musician Proud to Call Birmingham Home
The Alabama Symphony Orchestra features 53 full-time musicians from all over the world, each with a unique story. Kevin Kozak moved to Birmingham 35 years ago to join the group and currently plays 2nd horn. Mary Scott Hodgin speaks with Kevin about his journey to Alabama and why he has remained with the ASO for over three decades.
Kevin Kozak remembers the moment that would shape his career. He was a young student, taking piano lessons at the time, when he discovered a new sound. “One time they brought a brass quintet in and they demonstrated their instruments, and I remember really liking the horn,” Kozak recalls. What started out as a full-blown hobby would become his life. “I decided that it was this great dream of mine to play professionally in an orchestra.”
After freelancing for a year in New York City, Kozak auditioned with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Despite having no connection to the area, he accepted an offer with the ASO in 1981 and relocated to Birmingham. He has been here ever since. Kozak says, over the years, by living and performing in the same place, he has found a deeper meaning by bringing music to his community. He even remained in the area when the symphony went bankrupt in 1993. During this time, Kozak performed throughout the US to pay the bills, but it wasn’t the same. “That really felt funny,” he says, “to be playing these wonderful concerts around the country, but they were not for my city, my community. So to be on a stage again, to play for the people that, you know my home, that was very gratifying and remains so.”
The ASO started back up again in 1997 and Kozak eagerly returned to the stage. It has now been 35 years since he first started and he says, today, things are different. People can stream concerts online and watch them on a cell phone or computer. But despite future challenges faced by groups like the ASO, Kozak says a community symphony offers something that is not so easily replaced. “I think the symphony orchestra is an instrument, like a piano of 88 keys,” says Kozak. “You know the combination of how they’re used and the colors that are produced, that’s an instrument, and a symphony orchestra is an instrument. And it’s made up of human beings in your community who are all striving to collaborate with you to produce a beautiful experience.”
In Birmingham, that experience kicks off this weekend with the beginning of the ASO’s Masterworks series for the 2016-17 season.
Brigitte Bardot, sex goddess of cinema, has died
Legendary screen siren and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91. The alluring former model starred in numerous movies, often playing the highly sexualized love interest.
For Ukrainians, a nuclear missile museum is a bitter reminder of what the country gave up
The Museum of Strategic Missile Forces tells the story of how Ukraine dismantled its nuclear weapons arsenal after independence in 1991. Today many Ukrainians believe that decision to give up nukes was a mistake.
Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85
Jeffrey R. Holland led the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a key governing body. He was next in line to become the church's president.
Winter storm brings heavy snow and ice to busy holiday travel weekend
A powerful winter storm is impacting parts of the U.S. with major snowfall, ice, and below zero wind chills. The conditions are disrupting holiday travel and could last through next week.
Disability rights advocate Bob Kafka dead at 79
Bob Kafka was an organizer with ADAPT (American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today), a group which advocates for policy change to support people with disabilities.
‘It’s behind you!’ How Britain goes wild for pantomimes during the holidays
Pantomimes are plays based on a well-known story — often a fairy tale — which are given a bawdy twist. The audience is expected to join in throughout, shouting as loudly as they can.
