The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra (TSO) will be having a special performance Feb. 28 at the Rialto Theater called “Romantic Violin” in honor of former TSO Concertmaster Ann Tremaine. Current concertmaster, violinist and Tremaine’s protege Svend Rønning will be the featured soloist.

TSO is dedicating this performance to the memory of Tremaine, who passed away last October. Rønning, who became concertmaster in 2000, studied with Tremaine at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) from 1985 to 1989. “It is fitting for me that we are honoring Ann Tremaine in this way,”  says Rønning.

Tremaine served as concertmaster of the TSO for almost 30 years, retiring in 1992. She was a protege of the famed Jascha Heifetz, who was a frequent guest of the Tremaine’s during his visits to the Pacific Northwest. She was also a consummate artist, teacher and “ambassador for the power of music,” says Rønning.

“Ann served the community in so many ways, as a performer and as a teacher, and so many of the musicians here in Tacoma and beyond pass on her wisdom every day. I know that I join her many other distinguished students in the ranks of the TSO in giving thanks for her life and legacy.”

In addition to the TSO, Tremaine performed with the Tacoma Pops Orchestra, the Robert Joffrey Ballet Orchestra and both the Tacoma and Seattle Opera orchestras. She was also associate professor of violin at PLU and a prominent member of the Mu Phi Epsilon and the musical community of the greater Puget Sound Region. Tremaine is responsible for the formation of many of the region’s finest performers and teachers. Many of them perform, or have performed, with the Tacoma Symphony, including Lynn Bartlett-Johnson, Andrea Bryant, Kathleen Hansen, Lisa Ingraham, Mary Manning, Marcia Ott and Janis Upshall.

Ann Tremaine is survived by her husband, Norm, and family members.

Rønning has appeared in venues around the world, including the Aspen, Eastern, Harkness, Jerusalem, Methow, Pacific, Rhode Island, Spoleto and Wintergreen music festivals. As a soloist, he has appeared with numerous orchestras, including the Charlottesville Symphony, the Everett Symphony, the Prague Radio Symphony, Orchestra Seattle and Tacoma Youth Symphony.

His repertoire includes most of the standard violin concertos as well as concertos by Alban Berg, Walter Ross and Miklós Rózsa.

Rønning also serves as associate professor of music at PLU and as artistic director of Tacoma’s award winning Second City Chamber Series. He has served as concertmaster of the Charlottesville Symphony, the San Jose Symphony, the Spoleto U.S.A. Chamber Orchestra and the Tacoma Opera Orchestra. Rønning plays a violin by Vincenzo Postiglione, made in Naples in 1895.

For “Romantic Violin,” Rønning will be performing two pieces by French composers: “The Tzigane” by Maurice Ravel and “The Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” by Camille Saint-Saëns. ‘Rondo Capriccioso’ is one of the first pieces I ever studied with Ann, and ‘Tzigane’ is one of the last,” Rønning said. “Her spirit has been with me every step of the way in preparing for this event.”

Also on the program, Music Director Harvey Felder will conduct Franz Josef Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 (subtitled “The Miracle”), and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (subtitled “The Scottish”).

The program will begin at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $12 to $64, depending on seat placement. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets will also be available at the door. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

The Rialto Theater, part of The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, is located at 901 Broadway in downtown Tacoma. For more information or to order tickets, call (253) 591-5894, (800) 291-7593 or (253) 272-7264, or visit www.tacomasymphony.org. Guests can also follow TSO on Facebook.