The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County presents the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chris Wilson Community Play-Along Concert, “The Last Night of Proms,” at Chris Wilson Pavilion in South Bend’s Potawatomi Park on Sunday, August 18, at 6 p.m. The concert is free, open to the public, and designed for all ages. In the event of rain, the concert will move indoors to the Adams High School Auditorium.
“The Community Foundation is thrilled to once again offer this musical gift to our community,” says Rose Meissner, President of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. “What better way to celebrate summer than an evening outside with good friends and terrific music? The Play-Along makes it all the more special.”
Justus Zimmerman, Executive Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, shares, “We’re excited to bring together musicians from across the community to play alongside our symphony. The Play-Along concert is a unique opportunity for musicians of all levels to share the joy of making music together.”
If you cannot attend in person, tune into WVPE-FM 88.1 at 6 p.m. to enjoy the simulcast of the performance.
Now in its fifteenth year, this concert is presented by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, with additional support from South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts, and WVPE-FM 88.1.
Chris Wilson Community Play-Along Concert Details
This opportunity is open to all community musicians who would like to perform with a professional symphony under the baton of Music Director Alastair Willis. The Play-Along portion of the concert includes two pieces: Edward Elgar’s “Nimrod” from his Enigma Variations and Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Danse Bacchanale” from Samson and Delilah. This year, the Play-Along has a new enhancement: Each orchestral part for the Play-Along pieces will be available in Basic and Advanced formats, ensuring that musicians of all skill levels can enjoy their experience.
Community musicians must commit to two mandatory rehearsals and complete an online registration form to participate. There is no cost to participate.
Rehearsal Schedule
- Friday, August 16, from 6–8 p.m. at the Community Center Ballrooms A + B, St. Joe County Library, Main Branch (304 S. Main St., South Bend, IN 46601)
- Sunday, August 18, from 4–5 p.m. at the Chris Wilson Pavilion.
More details, the registration form, and downloadable sheet music for all orchestral instruments will be available at www.southbendsymphony.org. Registration opens June 1, 2024. Space is limited, and musicians are encouraged to register early.
About the South Bend Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating the 92nd Season, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra is the region’s only professional orchestra and is committed to engaging the community in all it does. In addition to being recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and other state and local arts funding organizations, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra is the recipient of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence, which recognizes the best-run nonprofit organization in St. Joseph County, Indiana.