Symphony of the Mountains
The Symphony of the Mountains has a season filled with music that celebrates the region’s heritage – with a Scottish-inspired symphony, Appalachian music, and music drawing attention to problems the region shares with the world (e.g. homelessness).
The next concert in the symphony’s season celebrates Appalachian music and the virtuosity of the banjo. “Appalachian Joy: Béla Fleck with Symphony of the Mountains” is Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport, Tennessee. Fifteen-time Grammy award winner Béla Fleck joins the symphony to perform his popular “Juno Concerto for Banjo and Orchestra.” The concert opens with the world premiere of New York composer Seth Grosshandler’s “Mountain Festival Overture,” followed by Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” Tickets are $35 and students are admitted free.
“From Scotland to Appalachia” is performed Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Center for the Arts on the East Tennessee State University campus, Johnson City, Tennessee. The symphony celebrates the many Scots/Irish settlers of the Appalachian region with Mendelssohn’s “Scottish Symphony No. 3.” The program opens with Beethoven’s fifth Piano Concerto (“The Emperor”) featuring pianist Tatiana Tessman. Tickets are $35, and students are admitted free. Mendelssohn’s symphony is repeated in a free concert at the Kingsport Farmers Market Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 pm.
The symphony presents “Honoring our Veterans” Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. at the Kingsport Farmers Market, Kingsport, Tennessee.The Voices of the Mountains directed by Dr. Matthew Potterton, and the Symphony of the Mountains’ Brass Quintet join forces to bring a Veterans’ Day Concert to the Tri-Cities in honor of veterans. The symphony partners with the Kingsport Office of Cultural Arts to create this event. Free tickets are available for all veterans. Tickets are $20. Students are admitted free.
“By The Fireside with Symphony of the Mountains,” the symphony’s annual holiday concert, is presented Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport, Tennessee, and Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts, Emory, Virginia. The popular “By the Fireside” concerts return with the participation of guests. The symphony welcomes back the Academy of Strings, Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy, the Mountain Mission School Choir, the Voices of the Mountains and Santa. The halls are filled with the sounds of both classic and contemporary holiday favorites. Tickets are $35, and students are admitted free.
The symphony performs “Isotone: A Collision of Science & Music” Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m., at the Renaissance Center, Kingsport, Tenn. Isotone returns to the stage. The small ensemble brings together science and music delighting young and old alike. Works of New York composer Larry Spivack are featured, including a world premiere celebrating the scientific accomplishments of Eastman Chemical Company. Tickets are $20, and students are admitted free.
“Celebrating Our Appalachian Mountain Home” is presented March 4 at 7:30 p.m., at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center, Kingsport, Tennessee. With this concert the symphony celebrates the many cultures and residents of the Appalachian Mountains. The world premiere of local composer Robert Campbelle’s “Earth Touching Heaven: An Appalachian Requiem” featuring over 200 singers from regional choirs is paired with Haydn’s Symphony “The Bear,” giving tribute to a wonderful creature living in our mountains. Bass-baritone Michael Rodgers sings a collection of spirituals and “Will the Circle be Unbroken,” first made famous by the Carter Family. Tickets are $35, and students are admitted free.
The symphony performs “Paths to Dignity” April 1 at 7:30 p.m., at the Toy F. Reid Eastman Employee Center. The symphony is a member of the commission consortium for a new composition by Lucas Richman, former music director of the Knoxville Symphony. His “Concerto for Violin: Paths to Dignity,” is raising awareness of the problem of homelessness in America and Appalachia. Upon popular demand, world renowned violinist Christina Bouey returns. The concert opens with a performance of Bernstein’s “Candide Overture,” and closes with Brahms’ spectacular Symphony No. 1. Tickets are $35, and children and students admitted free.
“Peter and the Wolf” is performed May 7 at 3 p.m., at the Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, Tennessee. This year’s interactive family and school concerts feature Prokofiev’s beloved “Peter and the Wolf” and Haydn’s “Toy Symphony.” Former Barter Theatre actor Rick McVey joins the orchestra to tell the always captivating story. Tickets are $20, children and students admitted free.
Visit www.symphonyofthemountains.org for information or tickets.
