The Hermitage Piano Trio, photo by Lisa-Marie Mazzucco
By PAM HARBAUGH
Watch out. If you try it once, you’ll want more.
We’re talking symphonic music, chamber music, opera and virtuoso performances. You don’t have to be elitist, high born or Ivy League educated to get caught up in this musical rapture. Indeed, all you need to do it PUT YOURSELF into that environment.
If you’re already “of the body,” then you’ll be delighted with the upcoming season chock full of musical high art. If you’re on the fence, then come on over to the bright side. Expand your horizons. You’ll be glad you did.
PROFESSIONAL
Brevard Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor, Maestro Christopher Confessore. Photo by Arik Sokol.
BREVARD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Led by maestro Christopher Confessore, the venerable BSO performs at the King Center, 3965 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, where it is the resident orchestra. It offers a range of ticket and season prices. New subscribers can get big discounts. In an effort to spread the word, grow their popularity, the BSO also offers neat little deals to subscribers who bring BSO newbies into a concert. Call the BSO at 321-242-2024 or visit their website at BrevardSymphony.com.
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES:
Oct. 24, 2015, 8 p.m. “Beethoven’s Ode to Joy”
“Ode to Joy! Beethoven Symphony No. 9” performed with the Brevard Community Chorus.
Mark Piszczek – Songs from the “Gulf of Sorrows” which is dedicated to the wildlife that fell during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Nov. 21, 2015, 8 p.m. “Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1”
Samuel Barber – Violin Concerto with Elmar Oliveira, considered to have the definitive interpretation of this piece.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 1, a rarely heard symphony “Winter Dreams.”
And…An Audience Choice!
This concert repeats Nov. 22 in Vero Beach
Jan. 23, 2016: 2 and 8 p.m. “Mozart’s Voyage to Jupiter”
John Corigliano – Voyage for String Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach – Violin Concerto in E Major
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 41 Jupiter, his final symphony with concertmaster Lisa Ferrigno.
Feb. 20, 2016, 2 and 8 p.m. “POPS! I Love a Piano”
Featured pianist Rich Ridenour, a showman paying tribute to Gershwin, Liberace, Billy Joel, Victor Borge and Rachmaninoff.
This concert repeats Feb. 21 in Vero Beach
March 12, 2016, 2:00pm and 8:00pm “Schumann’s Spring Symphony”
Robert Schumann – Symphony No. 1 Spring
Max Bruch – Scottish Fantasy, with violinist Paul Huang
Peter Maxwell Davies – An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise
This concert repeats March 13 in Vero Beach
April 9, 2016, 8:00pm “Mahler Week”
Franz Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Tanya Bannister.
Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 5, the first time the BSO will perform this work.
OTHER PERFORMANCES:
September 20th – Family Concert at the Cultural Arts Showcase, FREE
May 1, Pops concert in Vero Beach
April 30, 2016, 8:00pm: Broadway’s popular “Phantom,” Hugh Panaro, singing the greatest hits of the Great White Way. This special performance is separate from the BSO’s regular subscription series. It can be added to any subscription package.
The four performances held in Vero Beach are at the Community Church, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach. They are offered by the Indian River Symphonic Association. Those tickets always sell out to subscribers only, so call 772-778-1070 or visit www.irsymphonic.org.
MELBOURNE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
This 38-year old organization brings some of the best chamber music you will hear anywhere in the world. It presents performances in the acoustically excellent sanctuary at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 2030 N. A1A, Indialantic, FL. Its very affordable rates are $120 for the entire season. Call 321-213-5100 or visit MelbourneChamberMusicSociety.org.
Oct. 23: New York Chamber Soloists
Nov. 13: Amphion String Quartet
Jan. 15: Henschel String Quartet
Feb. 19: Brentano Quartet with pianist Thomas Sauer
March 11: Violinist Hye-Jin Kim and pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute
April 1: Hermitage Piano Trio
SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Led by maestro Aaron Collins, the six-year-old SCSO performs at The Scott Center, 5625 Holy Trinity Dr., Melbourne; St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church 5655 Stadium Parkway Rd, Viera; and Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St., Vero Beach. Subscription tickets begin at $90. Individual tickets begin at $20. Call 855-252-7276, Tuesday or Thursday, 9am-5pm, email info@spacecoastsymphony.org or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
Aug. 8 & 9, “The Art of the Big Band
Aug. 22 & 23, “Animation Domination”
Sept. 5 & 6, “Inside the Music”
Sept. 12 & 13, “Icons: Mancini & Hamlisch”
Oct. 9 & 10, “Oktoberfest: A Patron Party”
Oct. 17 & 18, “Sounds of the Swing Era”
Oct. 30, “Inside the Rehearsal”
Oct. 31 & Nov. 1, “Pictures at an Exhibition”
Nov. 11, “Honoring Our Heroes”
Nov. 28 & 29,” “Christmas at the Movies”
Dec. 12: “Ellington’s Nutcracker & Kenton Christmas”
Dec. 13: “Christmas on the Green” at La Cita Country Club
Dec. 18, “8th Annual Messiah Sing Along”
Jan. 7 & 8: “Rodgers and Hammerstein & Andrew Lloyd Webber Experience”
Feb. 5: “Inside the Rehearsal”
Feb. 6 & 7: “Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto”
March 5 & 6: “Three Black Kings”
March 19 & 20: “Danny Elfman’s Serenada Schizophrana”
April 16 & 17: “Bach, Mozart & Haydn”
May 7: “Pops Bouquet: A Tribute to Mothers”
VOLUNTEER
Some members of the Space Coast Flute Orchestras
MELBOURNE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA
Led by Aaron Collins, this community group performs at the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E Hibiscus Blvd, Melbourne, FL. Call 321-285-6724, email MelbourneOrchestra@gmail.com or visit MCOrchestra.org.
Sept. 9 & 10: “Once Upon a time: Musical Storytelling”
Oct. 14 & 15: “Movies and Musicals”
Dec. 2 & 3: “Holiday Spectacular”
Jan. 27 & 28: “Swing and Jazz Favorites”
April 6 & 7: “Rhapsody in Blue”
May 4 & 5: “The Three Sopranos”
June 15 & 26: “An American Celebration”
MELBOURNE MUNICIPAL BAND
Led by Staci Cleveland, the MMB performs monthly at Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E. Hibiscus Blvd., Melbourne. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble, formed a few years ago by Col. Hal Gibson, plays two concerts per year at different venues around the county. Call 321-724-0555 or visit mmband.net.
Aug. 5 & 6: “Around the World on Wings of Song”
Sept. 16 & 17: “Take Flight”
Oct. 7 & 8: “Favorites of the 40s and 50s”
Nov, 5: “Salute to Veterans”
Nov. 10 & 11: “The High Seas”
Dec. 4: “Holiday Ball”
Dec 9 & 10: “Sleigh Ride”
Dec. 31: “New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner-Dance”
Jan. 5 & 6: “Big Band and Strings”
Jan. 29: “Sweetheart’s Ball”
Feb. 17 & 18: “Myths and Monsters”
March 16 & 17: “Swingtime Concert”
April 13 & 14: “Music of the People”
May 20: “Mayflowers Ball”
June 8 & 9: “Carnival of Animals”
June 17: “June Moon Ball”
July 13 & 14, 2016: “Swingtime Concert”
SPACE COAST FLUTE ORCHESTRA
Unless noted, this all-flute orchestra performs mostly at Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N Wickham Rd., Melbourne. It is led by Nancy C. Clew. Call 321-385-7236 or visit SCFO.org.
July 26: “Flutes in Flight”
Oct. 25: Fall Concert
Dec. 13: Christmas Concert
Jan. 29: Florida Flute Fair, Orlando Airport Marriott.
May 1: Spring Concert, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 106 N Riverside Dr., Indialantic
July 31, 2016: Solo & Ensemble Concert
