On Friday, October 25, 2024 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
Join us at the Doubletree Atrium in downtown South Bend for a Halloween Party featuring light hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and mocktails! Put on your Halloween costumes for a costume contest! Bring the whole family for an evening of fun! ***Parking is FREE for this event in the DoubleTree garage for Halloween Party tickets holders ONLY.***
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to Morris Performing Arts Center with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. For two performances, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ while the entire film plays in high-definition. Secure your seat with a Season subscription. Visit www.southbendsymphony.org or call 574-232-6343 to save your seats and get the best prices! Ron Spigelman, Guest Conductor A native of Australia, conductor Ron Spigelman is an honors graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London. He has been the Associate Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Fort Worth Symphony, Music Director of the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, San Angelo Symphony, Texas Chamber Orchestra, Springfield Symphony (MO), and the Lake Placid Sinfonietta (NY). He has also served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Fort Worth and Syracuse Symphony. Guest conducting has included appearances with the St. Louis, Baltimore, Utah, Dallas, Oregon, Kansas City, Phoenix, Columbus, and North Carolina Symphony orchestras, as well as the Rochester and Naples Philharmonic. He has conducted Symphonic, Ballet, Opera, Musical Theatre and Pops plus over 20 live film concerts including Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, E.T, Home Alone, Polar Express, Elf, Nightmare Before Christmas, Psycho and seven of the Harry Potter films. Guest artists he has accompanied include Horacio Gutierrez, Rachel Barton Pine, Richard Stoltzman and Pops artists including Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Paul and Mary, James Taylor, Ben Folds, Kenny G, Vanessa Williams, Leslie Odom Jr., Gladys Knight, and Arturo Sandoval. Other career highlights include the world premiere of Pegasus by Lowell Liebermann with the Dallas Symphony in 2001, his Carnegie Hall debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in 2004, and the world premiere recording of Sylvan by Michael Torke which was commissioned for ...
The Harry Potter Film Concert Series returns to Morris Performing Arts Center with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ in Concert, the second film in the Harry Potter series. For two performances, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ unforgettable score live from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™ while the entire film plays in high-definition. Secure your seat with a Season subscription. Visit www.southbendsymphony.org or call 574-232-6343 to save your seats and get the best prices! Ron Spigelman, Guest Conductor A native of Australia, conductor Ron Spigelman is an honors graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, London. He has been the Associate Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Fort Worth Symphony, Music Director of the Fort Worth Dallas Ballet, San Angelo Symphony, Texas Chamber Orchestra, Springfield Symphony (MO), and the Lake Placid Sinfonietta (NY). He has also served as Principal Pops Conductor of the Fort Worth and Syracuse Symphony. Guest conducting has included appearances with the St. Louis, Baltimore, Utah, Dallas, Oregon, Kansas City, Phoenix, Columbus, and North Carolina Symphony orchestras, as well as the Rochester and Naples Philharmonic. He has conducted Symphonic, Ballet, Opera, Musical Theatre and Pops plus over 20 live film concerts including Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasia, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, E.T, Home Alone, Polar Express, Elf, Nightmare Before Christmas, Psycho and seven of the Harry Potter films. Guest artists he has accompanied include Horacio Gutierrez, Rachel Barton Pine, Richard Stoltzman and Pops artists including Marvin Hamlisch, Peter Paul and Mary, James Taylor, Ben Folds, Kenny G, Vanessa Williams, Leslie Odom Jr., Gladys Knight, and Arturo Sandoval. Other career highlights include the world premiere of Pegasus by Lowell Liebermann with the Dallas Symphony in 2001, his Carnegie Hall debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in 2004, and the world premiere recording of Sylvan by Michael Torke which was commissioned ...
Join Guest Conductor Fernanda Lastra, Trío Chapultepec, and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Bring your family and be a part of this unforgettable celebration! Program Carlo Fernandez/Arr. Lang Cielito Lindo Juventino Rosas Sobre las Olas Juan Pablo Contreras La Silla Cantoral/Martinez Arr. Lackey El Triste Elizondo Estampas Mexicanas Mov. III Garrido Arr. Lopez-Yañez Pelea de Gallos - Trío Chapultapec and Vanessa Alonzo, Hernestrosa Arr. Lopez-Yañez La Llorona - Trío Chapultapec and Vanessa Alonzo, Piece performed by Trío Chapultepec Fuentes/Ramirez/Guzman Arr. Lopez-Yañez Popurri de Huapangos - Trío Chapultapec Consuelo Velázquez Arr. Kazik Besame Mucho - Trío Chapultapec and Vanessa Alonzo Piece performed by Trío Chapultepec Piece performed by Trío Chapultepec Traditional Arr. Lopez-Yañez Vista Alegre - Trío Chapultapec Fernanda Lastra, Guest Conductor Fernanda Lastra holds the position of Assistant Conductor, Diversity Fellow for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under the mentorship of JoAnn Falletta. In 2022, Fernanda was appointed Conductor Diversity Fellow and was promoted in 2023, accompanied by a one-year contract extension. In this role Fernanda serves as assistant conductor, cover conductor, and main conductor for the BPO Family Kids series, Music for Youth concerts, and community engagement performances. Fernanda also serves as a member of the BPO’s artistic team, the BPO's music education committee and the BPO’s Diversity Council, among other responsibilities. Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Fernanda Lastra is a passionate and creative conductor with a wide range of interests in repertoire, including symphonic, contemporary, and operatic works. Additionally, she has collaborated with artists such as Aida Cuevas, Jay White, Jeans’n Classics, and Michael Grandinetti for Pops and special concerts. In May 2025, Fernanda is scheduled to make her debut with the Buffalo Philharmonic in the classic series featuring pianist Avery Gagliano. Besides regularly leading the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in several concerts as part of her role as Assistant Conductor, as a guest conductor Fernanda has led professional and youth orchestras in ...
This year for the Young People's Discovery Concert, the Symphony will be partnering with Carnegie Hall’s Link Up National Program to bring an interactive concert experience for all students attending! The Symphony will be presenting The Orchestra Sings program, under the baton of guest conductor, Carolyn Watson.
Join the South Bend Symphony for a magical family concert, The Shoe Bird! Delight in this captivating performance that brings Eudora Welty’s charming story to life with enchanting music and vivid storytelling. This unforgettable concert is a must-see experience that will spark imaginations and create cherished memories, perfect for audiences of all ages.An adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty’s only children’s book, “The Shoe Bird,” set to music by composer Samuel Jones that received a 2008 Grammy Award nomination for “Best Musical Album for Children.” Notre Dame Children’s Choir Led by Artistic Director, Mark Doerries, The Notre Dame Children's Choir (NDCC) is an ecumenical ensemble for Christian sacred music open to singers from birth to age 17. In addition to learning healthy vocal technique, choristers practice the fundamentals of reading and expressing music. Each season, the NDCC hosts a festival of sacred children’s choirs, collaborates with important conductors and composers, participates in annual musical retreats, regional tours, and performs at a variety of churches. NDCC is free to all choristers. Our mission is to educate the whole singer through music, spirituality, and community. Initiated in the fall of 2013 with a twenty-voice choir, the NDCC has grown into a five choir program of over 120 singers. The program regularly commissions new works of sacred music and invites guest directors to lead our singers. It is our belief that young singers should be at the center of every church or community choral program. In 2014 the choirs participated in a conference titled, The Chorister and the Church of the Future. The choir performed J.S. Bach's cantata 140, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme as part of the headline concert. In the spring, the choirs performed an outdoor production of Benjamin Britten's opera, Noye's Fludde. In the spring of 2015 the Chamber Choir embarked on the NDCC's first regional tour to the east coast including performances ...
Two performances, one day only! South Bend's favorite holiday tradition returns with Music Director Alastair Willis and the Symphony for Home for the Holidays for one day only. A spectacular program of cherished Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that bring joy to all. The perfect gift for the whole family. Anne Slovin, Soprano Soprano Anne Slovin is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Notre Dame, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate applied voice lessons, as well as courses on voice science and vocal literature. She is also a candidate for the doctoral degree in voice at Indiana University, where she studied with Patricia Havranek and Julia Bentley, and, most recently, sang the title role in the world premiere of Shulamit Ran and Charles Kondek's Anne Frank with IU Opera Theater. An avid performer of new and recent opera, Anne created the role of Mica Segal in Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of The Property, a klezmer opera with a score by Wlad Marhulets and libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann. She has also performed roles in Sumeida's Song by Mohammed Fairouz andThe Seduction of a Lady by Richard Wargo, as well as covering roles in The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon and Hello Out There by Jack Beeson. At IU, Anne premiered the role of Brigitte in New Voices Opera's production of Marilyn's Room by Kyle Peter Rotolo. Anne also appeared Clara in the collegiate premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's It's a Wonderful Life with IU Opera Theater, a performance that was called "a delight" by Indiana Public Media. In fall 2018, she joined the Indianapolis Opera Resident Artist program, covering Musetta in La Bohème and premiering the role of Juliet in Star-Cross'd Lovers, a chamber opera by IU professor Don Freund. Anne is equally at home in standard operatic repertoire, having made her American mainstage debut ...
Two performances, one day only! South Bend's favorite holiday tradition returns with Music Director Alastair Willis and the Symphony for Home for the Holidays for one day only. A spectacular program of cherished Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes that bring joy to all. The perfect gift for the whole family. Anne Slovin, Soprano Soprano Anne Slovin is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Notre Dame, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate applied voice lessons, as well as courses on voice science and vocal literature. She is also a candidate for the doctoral degree in voice at Indiana University, where she studied with Patricia Havranek and Julia Bentley, and, most recently, sang the title role in the world premiere of Shulamit Ran and Charles Kondek's Anne Frank with IU Opera Theater. An avid performer of new and recent opera, Anne created the role of Mica Segal in Lyric Opera of Chicago's premiere of The Property, a klezmer opera with a score by Wlad Marhulets and libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann. She has also performed roles in Sumeida's Song by Mohammed Fairouz andThe Seduction of a Lady by Richard Wargo, as well as covering roles in The Grapes of Wrath by Ricky Ian Gordon and Hello Out There by Jack Beeson. At IU, Anne premiered the role of Brigitte in New Voices Opera's production of Marilyn's Room by Kyle Peter Rotolo. Anne also appeared Clara in the collegiate premiere of Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's It's a Wonderful Life with IU Opera Theater, a performance that was called "a delight" by Indiana Public Media. In fall 2018, she joined the Indianapolis Opera Resident Artist program, covering Musetta in La Bohème and premiering the role of Juliet in Star-Cross'd Lovers, a chamber opera by IU professor Don Freund. Anne is equally at home in standard operatic repertoire, having made her American mainstage debut ...
Experience the timeless beauty of Copland’s iconic masterpiece, Appalachian Spring, as it vividly portrays the American landscape. Kojiro Uzmezaki joins the Symphony as he uses the shakuhachi to transform the landscape imagined in Angel Lam’s Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain, and Takuma Itoh’s Faded Aura. Program KOJIRO UMEZAKI (Cycles) What Falls Must Rise ANGEL LAM Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain I. Silent Field II. Rain TAKUMA ITOH Faded Aura COPLAND Appalachian Spring I. Very Slowly II. Allegro III. Moderato IV. Quite Fast V. Subito Allegro VI. Meno Mosso VII. Doppio movimento VIII. Coda. Moderato Program Notes (Cycles) What Falls Must Rise KOJIRO UMEZAKI Born: 1968, Tokyo, Japan Composed: 2009 Premiered: 2009, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire Duration: 13 –14 minutes As the reference to cycles in the title suggests, the setup for this piece is one of perpetually constrained motion with high and low points, which, on the surface, seems antithetical to notions of enlightenment and transcendence. Nevertheless, in the original work commissioned in 2009 by the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College and written for shakuhachi and the ground-breaking string quartet Brooklyn Rider, a descent inspired by the “Sagariha” melody is followed by modes and rhythms lying somewhere between the foreign and familiar, ascending in energy only to arrive back again at the top, ready for the inevitable next iteration of falling and rising again. This 2024 arrangement of Cycles: What Falls Must Rise for orchestra starts somewhere in the cycle and ends elsewhere, the exact points to be revealed in the performance. – Kojiro Umezaki, 2024 Empty Mountain, Spirit Rain ANGEL LAM Born: August 2, 1978, Hong Kong Composed: 2006 Premiered: 2006, Carnegie Hall, New York, New York Duration: 13-14 minutes Angel Lam, New York-based Hong Kongborn composer, has composed for artists and ensembles such as Yo-Yo Ma, Aldo Parisot, The Silk Road Ensemble, and many others. She shares, “This piece is ...
The Symphony continues to partner with area churches and venues to bring music to the community. The programs will commemorate and celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. JANUARY 16 / 6 P.M. St. Augustine Catholic Parish
The Symphony continues to partner with area churches and venues to bring music to the community. The programs will commemorate and celebrate the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. JANUARY 17 / 6 P.M. Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church
This high-energy, dazzling tribute to the Queen of Soul features Drama Desk Award nominee Capathia Jenkins and three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Ryan Shaw performing iconic favorites including “Respect,” “Think,” “A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Amazing Grace,” and more. Program Various arr. Tompkins Aretha Overture Covey arr. Shoup Chain of Fools Bacharach / David arr. Waldin I Say a Little Prayer DeSylva / Brown / Henderson arr. Rhodes; Orch Stevens Birth of the Blues Wonder arr. Mossman Sir Duke Sager / Hamlisch arr. Raine Nobody Does It Better Traditional arr. Podd What a Friend We Have in Jesus / Climbing Higher Mountains Webb arr. Holcombe MacArthur Park Bates / Ward arr. Shoup America the Beautiful Redding arr. Holmes Respect – Intermission – Various arr. Norris Salute to Ray Charles Brown arr. Waldin I Got You (I Feel Good) Gordon arr. Holcombe Unforgettable Goffin / King / Wexler arr. Bachalis (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman Cooke A Change is Gonna Come Wonder arr. Holman Isn't She Lovely Warren arr. Hampton At Last Woods / Campbell / Connelly arr. Shoup Try a Little Tenderness Traditional arr. Podd Amazing Grace Franklin / White arr. Shoup Think (from The Blues Brothers) Naima Burrs, Guest Conductor Naima Burrs, M.M., is a violinist and conductor from Richmond, VA, with a Master of Music in violin performance from the University of Northern Iowa and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has performed with numerous orchestras, including the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and has held leadership roles such as concertmaster and principal second violin. Burrs has appeared on NPR's "With Good Reason" to discuss her career and perform works by African American composers. She was selected for the 2014 Scotia Festival of Music and has served as concertmaster for various projects, including Steven M. Allen's opera The Poet and a PBS documentary ...
On Friday, February 14, 2025 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
Indulge in the virtuosity of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, followed by the majestic allure of Brahms Symphony No. 3. Experience an evening of unparalleled musical brilliance and be transported by the captivating melodies of these timeless masterpieces. Program BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 I. Allegro con brio II. Andante III. Poco Allegretto IV. Allegro — Un poco sostenuto – Intermission – TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto I. Allegro moderato II. Canzonetta: Andante III. Finale: Allegro vivacissimo Program Notes Symphony No. 3 JOHANNES BRAHMS Born: May 7, 1833, Hamburg, Germany Died: April 3, 1897, Vienna, Austria-Hungary Composed: 1883 Premiered: December 2, 1883, Vienna, Austria-Hungary, Vienna Musikverein Duration: 35 minutes Johannes Brahms’ Third Symphony is a profound work that blends technical mastery with deep emotional resonance. It is the shortest of his four symphonies, yet it is often considered the most unified and structurally compact. Clara Schumann, Brahms’ lifelong friend and confidante, observed its cohesiveness, remarking, “All the movements seem to be of one piece, one beat of the heart, each one a jewel!” The symphony’s thematic material reappears across multiple movements, and its sophisticated key structure is a hallmark of Brahms’ intricate compositional style. The work opens with three mighty chords establishing the symphony’s primary motive, F–Af lat–F, a musical shorthand for Brahms’ personal motto, “Frei aber froh” (Free but happy). This motif, a playful response to his friend Joseph Joachim’s motto, “Frei aber einsam” (Free but lonely), recurs throughout the symphony, creating a sense of unity and coherence. The first movement begins with an ambiguous theme, fluctuating between F major and F minor, embodying the tension between major and minor modes that permeates the entire work. This movement showcases Brahms’ ability to develop and transform thematic material, culminating in a rich, dramatic narrative. The second movement, Andante, contrasts with its serene, lyrical quality. It begins with a meditative passage for clarinets, bassoons, and horns, ...
Embark on a journey of passion and betrayal with Giacomo Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, Tosca. Join us as the Symphony, South Bend Lyric Opera, and South Bend Chamber Singers reunite for two unforgettable performances. Program Tosca GIACOMO PUCCINI Born: December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy Died: November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium Composed: 1897-1899 Premiered: January 14, 1900, Rome, Italy Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city. Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score. The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued. Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike. The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and ...
Embark on a journey of passion and betrayal with Giacomo Puccini’s timeless masterpiece, Tosca. Join us as the Symphony, South Bend Lyric Opera, and South Bend Chamber Singers reunite for two unforgettable performances. Program Tosca GIACOMO PUCCINI Born: December 22, 1858, Lucca, Tuscany, Italy Died: November 29, 1924, Brussels, Belgium Composed: 1897-1899 Premiered: January 14, 1900, Rome, Italy Tosca is a riveting, three-act opera by Giacomo Puccini, featuring an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. Drawing inspiration from Victorien Sardou’s play La Tosca, it is set against the backdrop of Rome in June 1800, a period of intense political upheaval as Napoleon’s invasion threatens the Kingdom of Naples’ grip on the city. Tosca epitomizes verismo opera with its intense drama and vivid orchestration. The tragic tale follows Floria Tosca, a famed singer, her lover Mario Cavaradossi, a painter, and the villainous police chief, Baron Scarpia. Set in Rome during June 1800, the narrative delves into themes of love, jealousy, political intrigue, and betrayal, all brought to life by Puccini’s evocative score. The opera features some of Puccini’s most renowned arias, such as “Vissi d’arte” and “E lucevan le stelle,” which beautifully convey the characters’ emotional turmoil. These pivotal moments, like a direct window into the character’s innermost feelings, serve to enhance the dramatic impact, keeping the audience engaged and intrigued. Tosca’s premiere was a dramatic event, delayed due to political unrest in Rome. Despite this, it quickly became one of the most frequently performed operas worldwide. Its lyrical and dramatic elements continue to captivate audiences and performers alike. The enduring appeal of Tosca is a testament to Puccini’s ability to convey profound human emotions through masterful orchestration and vocal expression. This intricate mix of intense drama and exquisite music makes it a timeless piece, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire. Tosca is not just a tale of romance and ...
On Friday March 21, 2025 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
In the spirit of Tchaikovsky’s Circles, Vienna’s Riches, Paris Impressions, Seeking Haydn, and Neighboring Bach, this sixth installment of Alastair Presents takes us back to Vienna in the mid-to-late 19th-century where the Strauss Family had the market on dance music completely cornered. Music Director Alastair Willis says “The Strauss dynasty was a golden era of elegance, joy and beauty in music. It was amazing to live through it and experience it all. My famous brothers - Johann Jr, Edward and Josef Strauss - stole all the limelight. I became the forgotten brother – no one remembers me. Join us as I share what it was like to always be in their shadow, and how I helped them become waltzing superstars”. Come hear the most glorious waltzes and polkas ever composed performed brilliantly by the South Bend Symphony in a dramatic and historical presentation. Secure your seat with a Season subscription. Visit www.southbendsymphony.org or call 574-232-6343 to save your seats and get the best prices!
On Friday, April 11, 2025 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
Indulge in an unforgettable musical journey as Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis enchants with its ethereal beauty, Piazzolla’s Bandoneon Concerto as it captivates with its passionate rhythms, and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra as it showcases the virtuosity of each section of the orchestra, blending folk influences with modernist complexity with guest bandoneon player, Hector del Curto. Program VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis PIAZZOLLA Bandoneón Concerto “Aconcagua” I. Allegro marcato II. Moderato III. Presto Intermission BARTOK Concerto for Orchestra I. Introduzione II. Giuoco delle coppie III. Elegia IV. Intermezzo interrotto V. Finale Program Notes Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Born: October 12, 1872, Down Ampney, Gloucestershire Died: August 26,1958 (Hannover’s Terrace) London Composed: 1910 Premiered: September 6, 1910, Gloucester Cathedral, Three Choirs Festival Duration: 13 minutes When rising from the bed of death, O’erwhelmed with guilt and fear, I see my Maker face to face, O how shall I appear? It was these words from a Thomas Tallis hymn that Ralph Vaughan Williams saw after being asked to edit the English hymnal in 1906. They stuck with him so much that, in 1910, after being commissioned to write a piece for the prestigious Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester Cathedral, he paid homage to this composer whose work had inspired him for so long. Thomas Tallis’ (1505-1585) legacy as a composer is one of the first true masters. Born in 1505, he (along with contemporary William Byrd) was the most important English composers of the Tudor era and heavily influenced later composers such as Bach. Tallis’ music was often concerned with musical modes, and this theme, which Vaughan Williams used, is based on the third, or Phrygian, mode. At the time of Tallis’ writing of his work, the modes were considered to have character and/or moods, with the third being full of rage and anger, which Tallis ...
On Friday, May 2, 2025 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
One of America’s most accomplished and in-demand Baritones today, Nathan Gunn, comes home to South Bend for one magical night with the Symphony for a power packed evening of Broadway’s biggest hits! Nathan Gunn Nathan Gunn is an acclaimed baritone known for his diverse career in opera, musical theatre, and recital. Growing up in South Bend, Indiana, Nathan developed a passion for music after being introduced to Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte in high school. He studied music at the University of Illinois, where he is now a professor and codirector of Lyric Theatre @ Illinois. Nathan has performed on prestigious stages worldwide, winning awards like the Grammy for Best Opera Recording (Billy Budd). Notable roles include Papageno in the Met’s first HD broadcast. He also collaborates with musical theater stars and champions new works. Nathan recently debuted a one-man autobiographical show, Flying Solo. Alongside his wife, Julie Gunn, he founded Shot in the Dark Productions to support young artists. They reside in Champaign, Illinois, advocating for arts education and local cultural events Meet the Musicians Here! Secure your seat with a Season subscription. Visit www.southbendsymphony.org or call 574-232-6343 to save your seats and get the best prices!
On Friday May 23, 2025 at 4 p.m. visit the main branch of the St. Joe County Library for FREE music in The Story House as part of the Shein Trust Community Chamber Music Series!
Enjoy an evening celebrating the vibrancy of the American spirit and classical mastery, featuring Copland's iconic Fanfare for the Common Man, Hailstork's dynamic Piano Concerto No. 3, Boyer's patriotic Rhapsody in Red, White and Blue, and the lush, emotive Symphonic Dances by Rachmaninoff with guest pianist Jeffrey Biegel. Program COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man ADOLPHUS HAILSTORK – (Indiana Premiere) Piano Concerto No. 3 PETER BOYER – (Indiana Premiere) Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue – Intermission – RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances I. (Non) allegro II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) III. Lento assai – Allegro vivace – Lento assai. Come prima – Allegro vivace Program Notes Fanfare for the Common Man AARON COPLAND Born: November 14, 1900, New York, New York Died: December 2, 1990, North Tarrytown, New York Composed: 1942 Premiered: March 12, 1943, Cincinnati Music Hall, Cincinnati Symphony Duration: 4 minutes Despite his training in Paris, Copeland is a composer who has often come to represent America through his music. Appalachian Spring, Rodeo, Billy the Kid, the list goes on and on in terms of pieces that, at least in today’s world, hold “American” qualities. However, in terms of patriotism, no other piece in his oeuvre comes close to Fanfare for the Common Man. Commissioned by Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, it was one of several fanfares commissioned from American composers as part of a larger project to honor the American entry into the Second World War in December of 1941. It was a continuation of a similar project Goossens undertook during the First World War, in which they commissioned fanfares from British composers. The title comes from a speech by then Vice President Henry A. Wallace, who proclaimed the 20th century as “The Century of the Common Man.” Unlike the other fanfare commissioned, Fanfare for the Common Man has remained a staple in American symphonic repertoire. Leonard Bernstein ...
Octet is a unique, immersive experience offering visitors the chance to get closer to orchestral music than ever before. The project, a collaboration with the Riverlights Music Festival, aims to recreate the feeling of being in an orchestra by situating the listener within a three-dimensional soundscape.