Symphony Orchestra Paints ‘An American Portrait’
Symphony Orchestra Paints ‘An American Portrait’
Summer Series continues with blockbuster program July 16th
(Merritt Island, FL) July 4, 2011 - The 65-piece Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will present the third concert in its Summer Series on Saturday, July 16th at 6 PM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Auditorium off Pineda Causeway, 5625 Holy Trinity Drive, Melbourne, 32940. With works by American composers, 'An American Portrait' will feature the rousing music of iconic giants Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, and Aaron Copland. The concert opens with Bernstein’s sassy and colorful Overture to Candide. Following are selections from the wildly popular Victory at Sea, guest conducted by distinguished American military bandleader, Colonel Hal Gibson. The Space Coast Symphony will present the world premiere of John Ryther's The Greatest Generation, a poignant and searing work, honoring veterans and those who came of age during World War II. The program concludes with two of Gershwin’s most well-known and energizing works: Porgy & Bess and An American in Paris. $20 advance tickets may be reserved or purchased online at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org, purchased at the offices of Blue Sky Insurance in Cocoa Village and Tropical Realty of Suntree, or by calling (321) 536-8580. Tickets at the door are an additional $5. Students 18 years of age and under admitted free. And for those unable to afford the price of general admission, the new SCSO Symphony for Everyone program will provide discounted tickets to anyone wishing to attend the symphony performance. See details at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Conductor Aaron Collins knows ‘An American Portrait’ will be popular with concert-goers.
"This will be a tremendously exciting program featuring music straight from the heart of our great nation," said Collins. "With popular works by Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, and Rodgers, the concert will be filled with the kind of memorable tunes that make us proud to remember we are Americans."
The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra has distinguished itself as the only orchestra in the Southeastern United States performing subscription concerts throughout the summer months. The Summer Series continues with a ‘Film Music Spectacular’ on August 6th. For more information about the orchestra Summer Series, the Symphony for Everyone program, 2011/12 Season tickets, or the 'An American Portrait' concert, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call (321) 536-8580.
ABOUT GUEST CONDUCTOR HAL GIBSON— Colonel Hal J. Gibson, United States Army retired, is an internationally acclaimed musician and conductor with a professional background that spans more than half a century. For more than 30 years, Hal was a military bandleader holding positions at the highest levels of the Army’s band program. These included assignments as bandleader at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he also conducted the highly acclaimed Cadet Glee Club. He was Commander and Conductor of the Army’s “showcase” musical ambassadors, the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus. In 1974, he was selected from the bandleaders of all services to form and conduct the Armed Forces Bicentennial and Chorus; the only military organization ever to have been comprised of members from all five U.S. uniformed services. During his long and distinguished career, Hal has conducted in all 50 states and 36 foreign countries. Following his retirement from the Army, Colonel Gibson was appointed Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the Schwob School of Music of Columbus State University. He served there for 16 years and developed one of the finest wind ensembles in the southeast. Following his retirement, he was voted Professor Emeritus by the Georgia Board of Regents, the only band director in the state ever so honored. Today, the rehearsal hall at the River Center for the Performing Arts of Columbus State University bears his name. In February of 2004, he was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Distinguished Band Conductors. He is a national honorary member of Phi Beta Mu, the College Band Directors National Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association. He is listed in the International Who’s Who of Music and serves on the board of several important musical organizations. He and his wife Marie currently reside at Indian River Colony Club in Viera, Florida. Hal continues to conduct the Symphonic Wind Ensemble of the Melbourne Municipal Band and the Colony Singers of Indian River Colony Club.
ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida professional-level orchestra comprised of professional musicians and select youth players. The Orchestra was formed with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for the finest youth musicians as well as to expose a broad cross section of Central Florida to quality programming at affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations. The symphony performs in several very comfortable venues in Brevard and Indian River counties, with advance general admission tickets priced from just $10 to $25.* School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the non-profit group performs year-round in addition to providing over a hundred separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling (321) 536-8580. *Ticket price varies with venue location and concert type; check website for details. In keeping with their mission, the symphony launched the Symphony for Everyone program in 2011, designed to provide substantially discounted admission tickets to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Details are available on the orchestra website.
