2018-19 season culminates with Orchestra and Combined Choirs concert

The final large ensemble concert will take place on Thursday, April 25that 7:30 in Hodson Hall. Audience members are in for a special showcase performed by the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers, Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, and University Chorus.

The program will open with Chopin’s “Concerto for Piano No 1 in E minor, opus 11” and will feature piano faculty and recent recipient of the Michael F. Adams Early Career Scholar Award, Liza Stepanova. In addition to her academic successes, Dr. Stepanova has been hailed by the New York Times for her “thoughtful musicality” which will be heard in Chopin’s work, the theme of which reflects Stepanova’s own ambition and diligence in academia and music. 

Under the baton of Mark Cedel, UGA Symphony Orchestra members will be performing Chopin’s work, which was scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, trombone, timpani, and strings. In the second part of the performance, the ensembles will be performing a piece for symphony and chorus by Rachmaninov.

“A highlight of the concert will be a performance of Rachmaninov's symphony with chorus, The Bells,” says Cedel. Following the traditional movement format for symphonies, the piece is comprised of four movements, with each movement dealing with a different type of bell. Rachmaninov chose poetry from Edgar Allen Poe to depict the bells in each movement. The work will be sung in English.  “It's a wonderful and exciting work.  And it wouldn't be Rachmaninov if he didn't slip in a "Dies Irae" quote,” he says. Joining the UGASO will be theMen’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, and University Chorus, under the baton of J.D. Burnett, as well asthe Hodgson Singers directed by the John D. Boyd UGA Foundation Professor of Choral Music, Daniel Bara. Graduate performance students Jaralane Davis and Isaiah Feken will be taking on the soprano and baritone solo parts of the piece. Soloing as tenor will be Associate Professor of Music, Dr. Gregory S. Broughton.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students and children. They can be purchased online at pac.uga.edu or by phone at 706-542-4400. Proceeds from contributions and ticket sales to these concerts are among the primary means through which School of Music scholarship funds are raised each year. If you are unable to attend, the concert will be streamed at music.uga.edu/livestreaming. This concert marks the end of the 2018-2019 Scholarship Series Season. Subscription Sales for the 2019-2020 season will go on sale in June, so be sure to check music.uga.edu and social media for updates.