PERFORMANCE NOTES.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Free noonhour concert features storyteller

Storyteller Yvonne Young will be featured at the weekly SHOcase concert, 12:15 p.m. Thursday in the Hult Center lobby.

During the 30-minute program, Young will tell folktales, Native American tales and stories from Oregon history. Yvonne is the Oregon liaison to the National Storytelling Network. The program is free and open to the public. Information: 682-5733.

UO ensemble to put on percussion concert

Modern percussion music will be performed by the University Percussion Ensemble at 2 p.m. today in Beall Concert Hall on the University of Oregon campus.

Directed by Sean Wagoner, the program is Carlos Chavez's `Tambuco for Six Percussion Players,' Anthony Cirone's `Japanese Impressions,' John Bergamo's `No. 33 for Percussion Quintet' and William Kraft's `Momentum for 8 Percussionists.'

Tickets, available at the door, are $5 ($3 for students and senior citizens).

Eugene Symphony hires new executive director

An arts administrator who formerly was a professional violinist is the new executive director of the Eugene Symphony Orchestra.

Paul Winberg, who has been development director of the Elgin (Ill.) Symphony Orchestra for the past three years, takes over March 29.

Winberg was chosen following a national search, according to David Kammerer, president of the Eugene Symphony Board of Directors, and Clark Compton, chair of the search committee.

He succeeds Rebekah Lambert, who resigned this past September to join the Peace Corps in Albania.

Winberg brings extensive experience to the post. He previously served as artistic administrator and orchestra manager of Chicago's Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus and was the Elgin Symphony's operations and education director.

After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Music, he played violin professionally for several years before pursuing a master's degree in public administration from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Kammerer said Winberg's "knowledge, skills and experience in both music and business will allow us to continue to grow, not only in musical excellence but in service to audiences throughout the community.'

Eugene Symphony music director and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero said Winberg's ``background as a musician, together with his experience in orchestra administration, makes him an ideal partner for us.''

Nominations open for

Arts and Letters Award

Nominations are due April 1 for the 2004 Eugene Arts and Letters Award.

Established in 1982 by Lee and Hester Bishop, the award honors a person or organization that has enriched Eugene's cultural life through involvement in arts and letters.

Send nominations to Joan Kerns ([e-mail]) at the Arts Foundation of Western Oregon Fund. Include the nominee's name and a description of accomplishments. Also include your name, address and e-mail address. Information: 431-7099.

Oregon Children's Choir concerts set for today

Music from many genres will be sung by 10 choirs in the Oregon Children's Choir Association at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. today at Northwood Christian Church, 2425 Harvest Lane, Springfield.

Tickets are $8 and $10 ($20 for family) at the door.

The spring concert is being given in two parts: the Prelude Choir, Junior Girl Choir, Girlchoir, Young Women's Choir and Synergy will perform at 3 p.m. The Junior Boychoir, Boychoir, Young Men's Ensemble, The Classics and In the Groove will perform at 7 p.m.