When: Sunday, March 14th at 3:00 PM
Where: Riverside Presbyterian Church in Cocoa Beach (click here for map)
UPDATE: Dvorak Requiem SOLD OUT; For questions, please call (321) 525-7970
Sherry MacLean Stephen Mumbert Regina Torres Frederick Kilgallin
Though rarely heard in concert, Antonin Dvorák’s Requiem is one of his most significant and ambitious works. This large-scale mass is grand, fervent and intense, reflecting the darkness and urgency of the requiem text. Composers in the nineteenth century approached the Requiem Mass in various ways, from the dramatic setting by Berlioz to the more personal expression of the sentiments of the rite by Brahms in his Deutsches Requiem. Dvorak treated the Requiem in a more conventional manner by using the text of the Requiem Mass associated with the Catholic liturgy, an idiom that should be familiar to the audience he addressed. While it bows to convention, such adherence to tradition should not suggest anything mundane. On the contrary, Dvorak’s setting bears attention for the way in which he expressed this text in one of the finer scores of his artistic maturity. A work for four vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, it is a powerful large-scale work that brings to mind some of the composer’s symphonic music, while simultaneously relying on choral sonorities for some of its more poignant effects. As occurs in Dvorak’s later symphonies, the interplay of textures is an important aspect of the score, which is as colorful as some of the composer’s operas. Dvorak approached the Requiem with the same sense for building on tradition as he did in his symphonic works. The result is a score that deserves to be heard more often, not only on recordings, but also in live performances. It may be a matter of wonder that so important a composition by a writer so much admired as Dvorak should be laid aside for so long a time, but it must be borne in mind that there are not many choruses and orchestras capable of mastering a work of such difficulty. On March 14th, 2010 the Space Coast Oratorio Society will join forces with members of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in a performance of this evocative work.
Aaron Collins plays 20 Questions with The Beachside Resident
Story by Tobin Bennison; Photos by Tom Saam and Rachel Ferrara
Within the profound realm of classical music, conductors are some of the most caricatured personages of the lot. The mere mention of them conjures images of gloweringly imperious white-maned figures gesticulating wildly from their symbolically heightened perches.
But along with a clutch of up-and-coming younger maestros throughout the country — and the world — conductors like 27-year-old Cocoa Beach native Aaron Collins, leader of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, has set out to shatter this musty cliché. Thanks to a discerning, adventurous, and highly accessible program, which includes both contemporary works and beloved pieces from the past, Collins and the exceptionally talented musicians who make up the SCSO provide comfort to traditionalists and plenty of surprising challenges for a growing number of younger music lovers.
Maestro Collins spoke to us about such lofty subjects as Samuel Barber’s tearful “Adagio for Strings” and the virtues of a cookies n’ cream milkshake.
"Make all the music you can, with all the people you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, as long as you can."
Would you like to know where your generous donations are going? Our Wish List gives you an inside look at all of the costs and hurdles that are presented to the SCSO throughout the year. Our wish list includes various items necessary for the operation of the office, musician needs, or concert production. If you can help, or know of a person or company who could help with any of these items, we would deeply appreciate it.
How can you help?
The cost of renting or purchasing one piece of music ranges from $200 to $1,500. Is there someone you want to dedicate a piece of music to? Select a work from our Wish List and you can honor or remember them by purchasing the work for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. Your donation helps build our music library and ensures a wide variety of programs for years to come.
New Additions
First Essay, Op. 12 (Samuel Barber) $100.00
Second Essay, Op. 17 (Samuel Barber) $210.00
Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin) $330.00
Thank you to Aaron Collins, Anonymous, Patricia Dooley, and Dianne Zabel for your donations towards Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. With two more individual donations of $200.00, you can help make this come to fruition.
Thank you to Dirk & Judy Brady, Aaron Collins, Adam Cottingham, Donna Collins, Joann Collins, Barry Cox, Patricia Dooley, Daniel Ingraham, Jane Francoeur, Dan & Lynn Grenough, Vince Grenough, Carol Nielsen, Tom Saam, Jeannie Williams, and Dianne Zabel for making contributions to our Wish List.
Please contact us at (321) 536 8580 for more information or inquiries regarding our Wish List.
Russian Classics a Huge Success
“The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra delivered a fiery performance on Saturday, January 30th. In their past three concerts, everything Collins attempts with this new orchestra is full of exhuberance and new found insight. The Space Coast Symphony seems to breathe new life into everything that they perform. You can feel the dedication and passion from all members of the orchestra towards Collins’ finesse and shaping. Jamila Tekalli, an up and coming pianist delivered a performance nothing short of brilliant. Her command of the music was quite evident as the first notes emerged from her nimble fingers. The young and beautiful dancers from Studio M Dance were a nice touch to the sounds of Stravinsky. There were missed notes and moments that could have used a bit more polishing. But, learning that the orchestra only has five hours to put together such an incredible program makes it even more unbelievable. There were many moments during the performance that reminded me of the great orchestras from Chicago, Cleveland, and New York. The SCSO keeps your undivided attention for each and every note, something very rare in orchestral concerts these days. Kudos to Collins for assembling such an incredible group of musicians!”
Photos by Tom Saam
A Note from the Conductor
Greetings,
First, thank you to all for supporting the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. Music is THE universal language. It speaks to us on an emotional level and allows the expression of thoughts and feelings that can’t be put into words. The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra knows how important music is for the Central Florida community.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is not based on the traditional model of a symphony orchestra. Somehow the cost structure for orchestras has risen to the point that every orchestra is likely to struggle to make ends meet. Unfortunately, we see a series of regional symphonies closing, shortening their seasons or restructuring their contracts with musicians.
As a new orchestra, we are presented with many challenges. That being said, life will challenge you regularly. We at the SCSO embrace that challenge with a thankful heart and a creative, resourceful mind. Each and every challenge has within it great strength. We intend to meet the challenge, work our way steadily through it, and that strength becomes ours.
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is unique in several ways:
Our primary mission of cultivating and shaping young musicians' lives. We are proud to have twenty four talented youth and college musicians participate with us throughout our Inaugural Season.
Offering tickets priced at a very low and affordable cost. It's exciting to know that 30% of our audience from our first two programs had never attended a live symphonic concert.
Presenting free chamber concerts throughout the Central Florida community. Over the past four months, forty four members from the SCSO have participated in over a dozen free chamber concerts in Brevard and Orange counties.
Free open rehearsals, where members of our community can have a behind-the-scenes experience. To get a better understanding of the work involved in creating a symphonic concert, anyone is invited to attend our rehearsals.
With your help and support, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will thrive and have the opportunity to implement more exciting programs for our community. We appreciate your time and we ask that you take a moment and tell your friends, family, and colleagues about our upcoming concerts. Your help is so greatly appreciated!
More ways to interact with the SCSO
There are lots of ways to interact with the SCSO online! Check out us on Youtube for additional content about our performances, and about music and the arts in general. Become a fan of the SCSO on facebook to interact with us and other patrons, or follow us on twitter for concert updates, late-breaking news, and more!
