First concert of the season to focus on American Hero
Wednesday, May 23, 7 PM, Ivy Tech Auditorium Theater
South Shore Orchestra, a vibrant community orchestra headquartered in Valparaiso, announces their 8th season and theme for 2012. REFLECTIONS will feature memorable musical with special connections to the past as well as offer a more personal reflection of this groups own short history and rise to their successful mission of “orchestrating a musical community--for musicians, audiences and youth.”
Three major opportunities for local and regional audiences to engage in SSO’s orchestral musicianship offer our community an exciting mix of intrigue, imagination and innovation through historic, contemporary and cultural music. Performed at Ivy Tech Auditorium Theater, the concerts are reasonably priced with ample parking in an acoustically rich performance space.
American Hero will treat us to reflecting on our own patriotic legacy--of those who serve, and have served our country. as well as viewing the traditions of patriotic inspired music. The repertoire includes American Salute by Morton Gould in which you may detect a bit of When Johnny Comes Marching Home to its artistry. Mark O’Connor’s 20th century Appalachian Waltz will wield a bit of bluegrass and folk sound into the mix embracing a homegrown Americana styled sound. James Horner’s score for Apollo 13 will add the inspired spirit of American heroes in space while the Theme from Spiderman by Danny Elfman will engage our super hero fantasies of saving the day in true American spirit. Bob Lowden’s medley of salutes to all the armed services will set a moving and memorable ceremonial tone to reflect on the upcoming Memorial Day.
Charles Ives, Symphony No. 2 will introduce us to what is now referred to and cited by Leonard Bernstein as the beginning of truly American music. Ives was viewed as an American music pioneer who broke the rules and conventions of European influenced compositions, weaving American folk tunes throughout, creating for us a new musical horizon of American spirit and adventure in sound and rhythm. This magnificent symphony is an autobiography of his life up to the early 1900’s and a tribute and reflection on the music from his childhood.
Come join us for this entertaining celebratory concert honoring the American Hero. Tickets are $15. Active duty service will be admitted free of charge, while retired service will pay $8. Senior/Student tickets are $10. Children under 12 are admitted free. Ivy Tech Auditorium Theater is located at 3100 Ivy Tech Drive in Valparaiso.
Other performances in the SSO REFLECTIONS seasonal lineup are Something Old and Something New on Friday, October 6. A very new composition featured will be the world premiere of Michael Schelle's "Exorcism of the Sugar Plum Fairy", while a bit of old will be presented by Phillip Serna performing the Dolmetsch Concerto for viol and orchestra, and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. A reflective note to Symphony No.7 is that it was also performed at the first full SSO orchestra concert eight years ago.
Then the Second Annual UNITY EVENT will present another type of reflection. Miss Saigon the musical is a modern adaptation of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. South Shore Orchestra will again join forces with the Carnegie Arts Foundation and Mondbeck Auditorium in Highland on Friday, November 2 to bring a collaborative community of musicians, actors and theatrical support together to present a spectacular semi-concert version of the popular and moving drama. Last year’s Evita was a huge success.
Finally, SSO will transport American Swing to the Zheijiang Provence of China over the New Year’s holiday. The song and dance revue of big band and swing music will take shape as a combined group of a smaller jazz band teaming up with a cast of performers.
SSO’s mission, to orchestrate and enrich a musical community, began with a dedicated group of music educators in 2004. They worked toward providing creative opportunities for musicians to bond and perform together, while creating opportunities for audiences to appreciate and enjoy music of all types at a modest cost, closer to home. An important goal was to initiate, support and encourage a Youth Orchestra for those who may not have accessible music programs. Today, the South Shore Youth Orchestra is thriving and building a true symphonic sound by adding brass, woodwinds and percussion to its offerings.
South Shore Orchestra Conductor Troy Webdell along with committed supporters and dedicated musicians invite you to share in this season of REFLECTIONS. You will always be treated to an evening of memorable music made from the heart.