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What about the music?

An inside look with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony

Friday, March 28, 2025 | 7:30PM |Chrysler Hall
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 7:30PM | Ferguson Center
Sunday, March 30, 2025 | 2:30PM | Sandler Center

Missy Mazzoli: Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
C.P.E. Bach: Concerto for Flute in D minor
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”

By Stella Feliberti

Eric Jacobsen, Virginia Symphony Orchestra Music Director

The Performers

Thomas Wilkins

Conductor

Thomas Wilkins

Thomas Wilkins is currently principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, Artistic Advisor for Education and Community Engagement at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and he holds the Henry A. Upper Chair of Orchestral Conducting at Indiana University. He recently stepped down after 17 successful years leading the Omaha Symphony and his guest conducting credits include every major American orchestra.

Devoted to promoting a life-long enthusiasm for music, Mr. Wilkins brings energy and commitment to audiences of all ages. He is hailed as a master at communicating and connecting with audiences.  Following his highly successful first season with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Globe named him among the “Best People and Ideas of 2011.” In 2014, Mr. Wilkins received the prestigious “Outstanding Artist” award at the Nebraska Governor’s Arts Awards, for his significant contribution to music in the state while in 2018 Thomas Wilkins received the Leonard Bernstein Lifetime Achievement Award for the Elevation of Music in Society conferred by Boston’s Longy School of Music.

Mr. Wilkins is a graduate of the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He and his wife Sheri-Lee are the proud parents of twin daughters, Erica and Nicole.

Demarre McGill

Flute

Demarre McGill

Demarre McGill has gained international recognition as one of the premier flutists of his generation, celebrated for his lyrical expressiveness and technical prowess. Winner of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, McGill has appeared as a soloist with renowned orchestras including the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the San Francisco, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Grant Park, San Diego, Chicago, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestras. His captivating performances have earned him critical acclaim and a distinguished place in the world of classical music.

Currently serving as the principal flute of the Seattle Symphony, McGill has previously held principal flute positions with the Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He has also served as acting principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Born in Chicago, Demarre McGill began studying the flute at age 7 and attended the Merit School of Music. In the years that followed, he studied with Susan Levitin. Demarre received his Bachelor’s degree from The Curtis Institute of Music and a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School. Demarre McGill is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

More about McGill Here

The Creators

Missy Mazzoli

Missy Mazzoli

Fast Facts:
  • Missy Mazzoli is an American composer born in 1980. She grew up in Pennsylvania, and attended Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, Yale School of Music, and the Royal Conservatory of the Hague.
  • Mazzoli was of the first two women to receive a commission from the Metropolitan Opera House.
  • She is most famous for her operas, concert works, and film scores. She even wrote the score for the acclaimed classical music exposé TV series Mozart in the Jungle.
  • Mazzoli is an active keyboardist and pianist with her band, Victoire. They were founded in 2008 and is dedicated to her own compositions.
C.P.E. Bach

C.P.E. Bach

Fast Facts:
  • Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was born in 1714 in Weimar, Germany. He is the second surviving son of J.S and Maria Barbara Bach.
  • Like his father, C.P.E Bach was his father’s true successor and influential composer of the early Classical period.
  • P.E Bach composed in a wide variety of genres. His compositions range from religious music, to symphonies, concerti, organ sonatas, chamber music, and songs.
  • His style became highly influential as later composers such as Hadyn, Mozart, and Beethoven all acknowledge his influence on them.
  • In addition to being a prolific composer, C.P.E Bach was also a powerful performer. He was famous for the precision of his playing and his intense emotion.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Fast Facts:
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in1756 in Salzburg. He was the youngest of 7 children. He wrote his first composition at 4 years old.
  • Mozart was known as jokester, both in and outside of his compositions. His Divertimento from two horns and string quartet is thought to be intentionally humous as it is clumsy, mechanical, and over-repetitive at times.
  • Mozart compose a plethora of pieces. By the time of his death, he composed over 600 works, including symphonies, concerti, operas, chamber music, and choral works.
  • Mozart was fluent in many languages, including German, Italian, French, and Latin. He learned all these languages to be able to composer and perform across Europe with diverse audiences.
  • Mozart has the unique ability to compose complete works in his head before writing them down. It is said that he would envision complete scores with multiple instruments and unique harmonies, without the need for extensive revisions.

Mazzoli

Sinfonia (For Orbiting Spheres)

Listen to Mazzoli’s Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres)
by the BBC Proms:

Click here to listen
  • Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) was written in 2014, revised in 2016, as a commission by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
  • Mazzoli describes this piece as “in the shape of the solar system.” This means that the piece consists of rococo loops that interweave with each other within a larger orbit.
  • The piece is named “sinfonia” as a reference to baroque works under the same term. It also refers to the old Italian term for a hurdy-gurdy, a medieval stringed instrument that produces constant, wheezing drones that support melodies played on the attached keyboard.
  • Mazzoli also describes this piece as “transforming the ensemble into a makeshift hurdy-gurdy, flung recklessly into space.”

Discussion Questions

  • How does this piece illustrate the sound of orbiting planets? What elements make this piece seem otherworldly?
  • Mazzoli wrote this piece as blend of medieval hurdy-gurdy sounds and space-themed sounds; why do you think she paired these two things together?
  • What types of extended techniques does Mazzoli use to make this piece sound like it’s from outer space?

Bach

Concerto for Flute in D. minor

Listen to C.P.E Bach’s Flute Concerto in D minor by Denis Bouriakov and the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra:

Click Here to Listen
  • P.E Bach’s Concerto for Flute in D minor was written in 1747. There is also an arrangement of the concerto for harpsichord, but musicologists are unsure which version came first.
  • At the time, C.P.E Bach was working for King Frederick of Prussia, who was an amateur flautist. There is some speculation that easier portions of this concerto were performed by the King himself.
  • The concerto features lots of ornamentation in the flute solo part. Many times, C.P.E Bach will take themes from earlier moments in the movement and add ornamentations to help develop the theme.

Discussion Questions

  • C.P.E Bach composed in the early Classical era; how similar is this concerto to Baroque music? How similar is it to later Classical era music?
  • There is speculation as to whether the flute or harpsichord version of this piece came first; does the piece fit one instrument more than the other? Why or why not?
  • How does this piece highlight the virtuosity of the flute?

Mozart

Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”

Listen to Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter” by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony:

Click Here to Listen
  • Mozart completed Symphony No. 41 on August 10ths 1788. It is the longest and last symphony he composed, and many critics note this piece as one of the greatest symphonies every written.
  • Unlike most of Mozart’s symphonies, Symphony No. 41 was written without commission or patron. This symphony along with his 39th and 40th symphonies, were composed within 3 months with no commission, which is why some historians think these works are his most inventive.
  • The symphony got its nickname because of the opening chords of the symphony resemble the God Jupiter and his thunderbolts.
  • Brahms once claimed in 1896 that he was “able to understand too the Beethoven’s first symphony did impress people colossally. But the last three symphonies by Mozart are much more important.”

Discussion Questions

  • Why do you think this symphony is considered one of Mozart’s most inventive works?
  • Do you think the nickname for this symphony is justified? Why or why not? What other nicknames would you give the symphony?
  • What makes this symphony different from Mozart’s other symphonies and other works?

Emmanual Losa

Emmanuel Losa

Cello

Born in 1998, Emmanuel Losa grew up in Marietta, Georgia to a Nigerian father and Jamaican mother. Starting his cello studies at the age of 12, he began to have an affinity for the orchestral world and later studying with the esteemed cellists of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, his primary instructor was Joel Dallow; in addition, studying with Dona Vellek (Assistant Principal Cello Emeritus) and Karen Freer (Assistant Principal Cello).

Emmanuel heavily enjoys studying various pieces of solo, chamber, and orchestral music, spending his summers at various festivals such as Bowdoin International Music Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and Aspen Music Festival to name a few.

A student of Alan Stepansky at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Emmanuel is pursuing an undergraduate cello performance degree in orchestral performance. He continues his studies with a focus on winning a position with a major orchestra.

Zacherie Small

Zacherie Small

Double Bass

After migrating from his native island of Barbados, Zacherie Small began his Double Bass studies the age of 19 with Jonathan Dadurka at Miami-Dade College where he graduated with a Associate of Arts in Music. Afterwards, he went on to study with Luis Gomez-Imbert at Florida International University where he now holds a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance; Cum Laude, and a Masters of Music in Double Bass Performance. Also, recently graduated with his second Masters from Temple University studying with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra such as Nathaniel West, Joseph Conyers, and Robert Kesselman.

Small has performed with various orchestras. He is a member of the Miami Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Eduardo Marturet. He was also the Principal Double Bass of the Miami Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Jorge Vazquez. Small periodically performs with the Colour of Music Festival Orchestra.

Small has attended the Miami Summer Music Festival at Barry University for 3 years. During the festival, he has performed in many concerts with various conductors like Michael Rossi, Yuriy Bekker, Joel Smirnoff, David Efron, Stephanie Rhodes, and Steve Gruman. Also, participated in the Philadelphia International Music Festival to study with Nathaniel West and under the baton of Kensho Watanabe.

As well as being a performer, Small is the secondary music director South-Dade Middle School and does masterclasses at various schools in Miami, FL. He is also a teacher for the Artist of the Miami Music Project where he guides children in troubled neighborhoods to bring about social change, cultivate lessons, and run ensembles.

Tyler McKisson

Tyler McKisson

viola

Tyler McKisson is a 26-year-oldorchestral and freelance violist originally from Arvada, Colorado. He has recently received an Artist Diploma from The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as a Diversity Fellow where he regularly performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. McKisson received a Master’s degree in viola performance at the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance at the University of Northern Colorado with honors. McKisson’s musical career started at age ten when he joined his school’s string orchestra program and at age fourteen, he began his studies under his first private instructor, Brian Cook. McKisson has also studied under Christopher Luther, Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, Erika Eckert, and Catharine Carroll Lees. He has played with several American orchestras including the Cheyenne Symphony with tenure, Atlanta Symphony, Kentucky Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, and the Aspen Conducting Academy.

Camille Jones

Camille Jones

violin

A passionate collaborator and advocate for diversity in the arts, Camille has worked with various festival orchestras and chamber groups, including the National Orchestral Institute and Festival (NOI + F), Bowdoin International Music Festival, and Next Festival of Emerging Artists.

As a 2019 Sphinx Orchestral Futurist Fellow, she has helped commission works and curate a professional development workshop for K-12 students in Prince George’s County, Maryland.This project piloted what is now the K12 New Music Initiative, a commissioning project to expand the repertoire of K12 orchestras with music by BIPOC composers. In the Fall of 2018, she curated Voices Unheard, a concert series at UMD that celebrated works by women composers and composers of color. In addition, she had the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed cello professor Anthony Elliott for a concert series at the Kerrytown Concerthouse titled Passing the Torch in 2021 and 2022. Camille is establishing herself as a freelance artist in the Michigan area as well, having performed for singer Michael Bublé, rapper Big Sean and Darren Criss. She has also served as a teaching artist for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Civic Youth Ensembles as well as the Sphinx Overture program in Detroit.

Camille received her B.M. in Violin Performance at the University of Maryland, College Park and a M.M. in Violin Performance from the University of Michigan, having studied under Danielle Belen.

Daphine Henderson

Daphine Henderson

bass

Daphine Henderson, a double bassist and vocalist in the DC metro area, completed her Master’s Degree in Double Bass Performance at the University of Maryland College Park in Spring 2023, where she also received two Bachelor’s Degrees in Music Performance with concentrations in Double Bass and Soprano Voice in Spring ’20. She was the first black woman to earn a Master’s Degree in Double Bass Performance at University of Maryland and the third black woman to receive a graduate degree in strings. Teaching herself the double bass at age 12, Daphine became extremely involved in music through her high school career, ranging from performing with the Maryland Senior All State Orchestra to being the drum major of her high school marching band. She is actively involved in the University of Maryland School of Music community, performing with numerous classical and wind ensembles.

Throughout her time at UMD, Daphine served as one of the ensemble assistants for the UMD Treble Choir, where she actively engaged with and lead her section. She sat as one of the student chairs and founding members of the School of Music’s IDEA Committee, which focuses on bringing diversity, accessibility, and inclusive engagement to the music community at College Park. Daphine is also a founding member of the PAGE (Project for All Gender Equality) for Bassists, where she spoke on a panel in the 2019 and 2021 International Society of Bassists conventions. Daphine teaches in Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland, and is an active strings coach for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestra. Additionally, she teaches all string instruments, piano, and voice at Crescendo Studios in Falls Church, Virginia.

Daphine is taking steps in her musical career to create an impact and be an inspiration for younger musicians of color that would otherwise not have ample resources and opportunities to pursue their passion. Following the completion of her graduate degree, Daphine plans to continue establishing herself as an advocate through her performance and an arts administrator for underserved and minority musicians, while continuing to inspire others through her love for music.

Avery Robinson

Omari Imhotep Adbdul-Alim

Violin

Omari Imhotep Abdul-Alim is an accomplished violinist and educator with a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He is a dedicated instructor with extensive experience teaching violin to a diverse range of students, from young children to adults, in both individual and group settings.

Omari has also contributed significantly as a violin instructor and orchestral strings coach at the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood, as a member of VSO's first inaugural class of African American Fellowship.

In addition to his teaching accomplishments, Omari has an extensive performance background. He has been a substitute with VSO, New World Symphony, Chicago Civic Orchestra, and Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. For the last year Omari has been an active performer in the San Diego area, playing with Coronado Philharmonia Orchestra, Poway Symphony Orchestra, the City Ballet of San Diego, La Jolla Symphony Orchestra and as resident violinist at First Lutheran Church of San Diego.

Omari is committed to enriching our musical education and performance landscape through his expertise and passion for music.

Avery Robinson

Avery Robinson

Cello

Avery Robinson grew up in Western Massachusetts where he was influenced by his parents’ love for jazz music. At the age of 10 he started playing piano and began learning bass when he was 12 years old. As a young musician, Avery’s passion for jazz persisted however, as he became exposed to the wonderful sounds of the symphony, his musical passion grew to include a second genre: classical music. After joining his high school orchestra, his career path was set.

Avery has studied at many top music schools such as the Eastman School of Music, The Hartt School of Music, and the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and has graduated with honors. His teachers include Rachel Calin, Albert Laszlo, and Robert Black. Avery has been a member of the Kentucky Symphony, and most recently, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked as a substitute for the Amarillo Symphony and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas. In addition to his orchestral career, Avery is also an accomplished recitalist, having performed many solo and chamber recitals at various venues such as the Chautauqua Institution and at the “Classical Revolution” Series in Cincinnati. His love for performing with others shows in his expressive and sometimes fervent style of playing.

Avery has other passions in addition to music. Firstly, he is a huge art and history buff and loves to frequent museums and galleries whenever he can. He is also a lover of sports and an avid golfer.