Brevard Symphony Announces 65th Anniversary Season

Brevard Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Principal Conductor, Christopher Confessore has officially announced programming for the BSO's 2018/19 season - the Orchestra's 65th anniversary. The BSO will celebrate by bringing spectacular performances of symphonic music to Central Florida audiences with a thrilling collection of repertoire.

"It is incredibly inspiring to me to think about all the people who have worked together to bring the music and message of the BSO to everyone in Brevard County through countless performances for hundreds of thousands of audience members over the years," said Confessore. "It's overwhelming and inspiring all at once. I'm incredibly proud of where we've been, and I'm tremendously excited to think about where we are headed! We have MUCH to Celebrate!"

Maestro Confessore leads the BSO for over 25 performances beginning July 2018 with appearances emphasizing the Orchestra's commitment to bringing quality, live, symphonic performances to the community. A variety of concerts will fill the season including evening performances, a matinee series, and free concerts. BSO ensembles will appear throughout the year performing at venues across Brevard County.

Throughout the season, the orchestra will feature a variety of works sure to appeal to a wide-range of symphony fans, new and returning, including an opening night program featuring music by Leonard Bernstein and a concert featuring the most recognizable of all symphonies, Beethoven's Fifth in November. The orchestra is also proud to present a fabulous array of featured artists during the 2018/19 season including violinist Jennifer Frautschi, pianist Sergey Belyavskiy, violinist Andrew Sords, and violinist Sirena Huang. Back by popular demand, pianist Rich Ridenhour will be featured during the BSO's annual pops concert in February.

No season with the BSO would be the same without the Orchestra's popular free concerts and events including the Orchestra's July 4th Symphony Under The Stars, Sunday With The Symphony, and Cultural Arts Showcase - which includes the BSO's annual Family Concert.

"As we begin our 65th anniversary season, we hope that the success and legacy of the BSO will continue to make a difference in the lives of everyone in our community," stated BSO Executive Director Fran Delisle.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:

Celebrating Bernstein

Kicking off the 2018/19 season, the BSO opens with a program celebrating Leonard Bernstein. This year marks the 100th anniversary of this great American musician and composer's birth. This All-Bernstein concert will focus on Bernstein's great theatrical works, with excerpts from Candide, West Side Story, Mass, and Fancy Free. One of Bernstein's former personal assistants and librarians, Charlie Harmon, will join the Brevard Symphony Orchestra as a special guest for the concert, offering anecdotes about his time working with Bernstein. Harmon has also created a special arrangement for solo violin and orchestra of themes from On the Town which will be performed by the Orchestra and feature violinist Jennifer Frautschi - a world premiere performance.

Beethoven No. 5

No other symphony is as recognizable as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The Brevard Symphony Orchestra will perform this monumental piece in November. Program also includes another fan-favorite, Felix Mendlessohn's beloved Violin Concerto performed by violinist Sirena Huang, Grand Prize Winner of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition.

Side-by-side

In November, students from all three orchestras in the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra will join the BSO for a side-by-side performance of the final movement of Vaughan Williams's Concerto Grosso - in celebration of the BSYO's 35th anniversary. It's the perfect piece for this special occasion - which will feature more than 100 string players onstage for this performance.

From The Silver Screen To The Stage

In February, the BSO is thrilled to welcome back pianist Rich Ridenour, who delighted POPS audiences two years ago with an all-new program. Great Movies, Grand Piano is a fun concert of great movie themes that feature the piano including music from The Sting, The Pink Panther, Forrest Gump, Somewhere in Time, Exodus, and Up - the Orchestra will present music from The Lord of the Rings, Superman and more.

Gaelic Premiere

In March, the BSO will give the regional premiere of a beautiful Romantic-era symphony by Amy Beach. A gifted composer, Beach was the first successful American female composer of large-scale art music. With its inclusion of four distinctly Irish Tunes, Beach's Gaelic Symphony is the perfect featured masterwork for a St. Patrick's Day weekend program that also includes Percy Grainger's Irish Tune From County Derry - a lush setting for stings and horns of Danny Boy.

From The Earth To The Moon And Beyond

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the BSO is proud to present the Southeastern US Premiere of James Beckel's From the Earth to the Moon and Beyond. The Orchestra has joined a handful of orchestras across the country to commission this exciting new work that celebrates one of mankind's most incredible achievements. The piece will feature narration and images from the Hubble Telescope.

TICKETS:

Season tickets will go on sale May 1, 2018. For season tickets or group sales contact the BSO Administrative Office at (321) 242-2024. To purchase online, visit www.brevardsymphony.com.

Individual tickets go on sale September 1, 2018. To purchase, visit www.brevardsymphony.com or by calling the King Center Box Office at (321) 242-2219.

CONCERT SCHEDULE:

July 4th Symphony Under the Stars

Annual FREE Concert

Wednesday, July 4, 2018 :: 8:00pm

Cocoa Riverfront Park

A Brevard Tradition! Join the BSO for this FREE outdoor concert at the Cocoa Riverfront Park. Guests will experience an evening of fabulous patriotic and Pops classics while viewing the awesome fireworks display presented by the Cities of Cocoa and Rockledge. A fun-filled day for family and friends to enjoy the talents of our community and salute our great nation! Events throughout the day, BSO Concert begins at 8:00 pm.

Sunday With the Symphony

Annual FREE Event

Sunday, August 19, 2018 :: 12-5pm

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, West Melbourne

Join the Brevard Symphony Orchestra for this FREE family event at Barnes & Noble in West Melbourne. Events throughout the day include children's activities and giveaways. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the BSO's Principal Conductor/Music Director, Christopher Confessore. The Maestro will share highlights of the upcoming season and answer audience questions. Meet BSO musicians and enjoy the sounds of a BSO Ensemble.

Cultural Arts Showcase & Family Concert

Annual FREE Festival Of The Performing Arts

Sunday, September 23, 2018 ::12-5pm

King Center for the Performing Arts

The Cultural Arts Showcase is a FREE one-day family festival of the performing and cultural arts held annually. Presented by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra and King Center for the Performing Arts, the festival includes arts activities, cultural demonstrations & LIVE performances throughout the day including the BSO's Annual Family Concert sponsored by Harry & Wendy Brandon.

A Bernstein Celebration - Opening Night

Saturday, October 6, 2018 :: 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

Candide Overture

Simple Song from Mass

On the Town Rhapsody for Violin and Orchestra

(Jennifer Frautschi, violin) - World Premiere Performance

West Side Story Suite No. 1

(Jackie Stressman and E.J. Cardona, vocalists)

Fancy Free Ballet Suite

Beethoven No. 5

Saturday, November 17, 2018 :: 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

Ralph Vaughan Williams - March from Concerto Grosso

(Side-By-Side with BSYO)

Felix Mendelssohn - Violin Concerto (Sirena Huang, violin)

Ludwig van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5

Tchaikovsky & Friends

Saturday January 19, 2019 :: 2pm & 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

Johannes Brahms - Hungarian Dance No. 1

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - Piano Concerto No. 1

(Sergey Belyavskiy, piano)

Johann Strauss, Jr. - On the Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz

Austin Wintory - Nascence and Apotheosis from Journey

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Capriccio Espagnol

Great Movies, Grand Piano - POPS

Saturday, February 9, 2019 :: 2pm & 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

In February, the BSO is thrilled to welcome back pianist Rich Ridenour, who delighted POPS audiences two years ago with an all-new program. Great Movies, Grand Piano is a fun concert of great movie themes that feature the piano including music from The Sting, The Pink Panther, Forrest Gump, Somewhere in Time, Exodus, and Up - the Orchestra will present music from The Lord of the Rings, Superman and more.

Grainger, Dvorak & Beach

Saturday, March 16 2019 :: 2pm & 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

Percy Grainger - Irish Tune from County Derry

Antonin Dvorak - Violin Concerto (Andrew Sords, violin)

Amy Beach - Gaelic Symphony in E minor

Haydn, Beckel & Rachmaninoff

Saturday, April 6, 2019 :: 2pm & 8pm

King Center For The Performing Arts

Tickets = $10-$60

Franz Joseph Haydn - The Representation of Chaos from The Creation

James Beckel - From the Earth to the Moon and Beyond

Consortium Commission Celebrating the

50th Anniversary of Moon Landing

Sergei Rachmaninoff - Symphony No. 2

For more information, contact the Brevard Symphony Orchestra at (321) 242-2024 or visit our website at BrevardSymphony.com

The BSO is Brevard's premier professional orchestra. For over 60 years, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra has brought quality performances, educational programs and outreach events to the community. The Orchestra's mission is to entertain and enrich individuals and communities, by creating exceptional, live symphonic music. The BSO is orchestra-in-residence at the King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, Florida.

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