Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Aaron Copland & The American Identity

HAMPTON ROADS, VA [September 29, 2016] — The Virginia Symphony Orchestra, in an Educational Partnership with Tidewater Community College, will present a program featuring quintessential works of the American orchestral repertoire on Friday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. at TCC Roper Performing Arts Center.

As one of the most influential 20^th century composers, Aaron Copland forged a uniquely American identity in orchestral music. Inspired by folk songs and jazz, his music often had a very accessible style and rhythmic vitality. His open intervals, slowly progressing harmonies, and songful melodies evoke the vastly open frontier landscapes and the optimistic pioneering spirit of the American west. Copland’s tone is hopeful, direct, and sincere.

As the election of the 45^th American President approaches, the VSO presents a program of music that pays homage to America’s ancestors and expresses the sentiments of landmark historical speeches, including the Gettysburg Address.

Conducted by Benjamin Rous, the program’s repertoire includes Fanfare for the Common Man, Lincoln Portrait, and Appalachian Spring. Special guest Dr. Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani, Tidewater Community College President, will narrate the inspirational Lincoln Portrait.

Rous will provide a historical and contextual snapshot of the composer and composition prior to the performance of each piece while concert-goers in specially-priced “tweet seats” can engage in a live tweeting of the performance that will inform them of what to listen for and why in real time.

Tickets prices range from $25 to $50 with specially priced “tweet seats” for $9. Tickets can be purchased by calling 757.892.6366, visiting www.virginiasymphony.org or visiting the Virginia Symphony Box Office at 150 Boush Street, Suite 201, Norfolk, VA 23510 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. For group sales of 10 or more, call 757.466.3047.

###

Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is Virginia’s preeminent professional symphony orchestra with a mission of inspiring, educating and connecting audiences of all ages.

Founded in 1921, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities, reaching nearly 150,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 45,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the performing arts in Hampton Roads.