Burlington, VT — Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) kicks off its 90th anniversary season at The Flynn (Sept. 27, Burlington, VT) and the Paramount Theatre (Sept 28, Rutland, VT) with an all-American program titled Béla Fleck and American Excellence, featuring renowned banjoist Béla Fleck and celebrated composer Adolphus Hailstork, and more. The following month, the VSO will explore the music of two iconic ballets in their performance Romeo, Juliet, and the Firebird, October 26, 2024, at The Flynn. Both programs will be conducted by VSO Music Director Andrew Crust and will include access to a free open rehearsal for those who have purchased tickets.
September: Béla Fleck and American Excellence
This all-American program features two living greats: virtuoso banjoist Béla Fleck and composer Adolphus Hailstork.
Fleck makes his East Coast debut with his catchy arrangement of Rhapsody in Blue, arranged for banjo, and the VSO brings Hailstork’s An American Port of Call to life. This concert also marks the VSO’s premiere performance of William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, which includes narrated epigraphs written by Paul Laurence Dunbar; these and works by other prominent Black writers will be narrated by Ashley Snow.
The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded at 6:30 p.m. by Musically Speaking, a free pre-concert discussion that provides entertaining insight into the evening’s program with Vermont Public classical radio hosts Helen Lyons and James Stewart.
PROGRAM:
Adolphus Hailstork – An American Port of Call
George Gershwin – An American in Paris
Intermission
George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
William Grant Still – Symphony No. 1 (“Afro-American”)
This concert is generously sponsored by The TD Bank Foundation, the Vermont Community Foundation Concert Artists Fund, McSoley McCoy & Co., Vermont Public, Vermont Humanities, the State of Vermont, and VSO’s Endowment Funds. The Paramount Theatre is a co-sponsor of the concert in Rutland.
October: Romeo, Juliet, and the Firebird
On October 26, the VSO returns to The Flynn to explore the music of two iconic and powerful 20th century ballets by Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Prokofiev, alongside Lili Boulanger’s bright celebration of spring.
In this concert, multiple cameras capture the orchestra in close-ups on a large screen, which will give the audience an intimate view of the virtuosic musicians as they tackle the scores. VSO Music Director Andrew Crust will lead a discussion on the background and creation of these masterpieces, the lives of the composers, and the story of the ballets.
The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded at 6:30 p.m. by Musically Speaking, a free pre-concert discussion that provides entertaining insight into the evening’s program with Vermont Public classical radio host James Stewart.
An abbreviation of this concert program will be performed as part of the Flynn’s Student Matinee Series for young audiences on October 25, 2024.
PROGRAM:
Lili Boulanger – D’un matin de printemps
Sergei Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet Suite No.2
Intermission
Igor Stravinsky – Firebird Suite (1919)
To purchase tickets to these concerts and more, visit vso.org.
About the Vermont Symphony Orchestra:
Celebrating its 90th anniversary with the 2024/25 season, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra is a cultural cornerstone in the region, enriching communities and the lives of Vermonters statewide. With a commitment to artistic excellence, innovative programming, and community engagement, the VSO has established itself as one of the country’s premier state orchestras. For more information about the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and to purchase tickets for this concert series, please visit VSO.org.
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