The “Fall Concert: Veterans Day” promises to be a delightful program that weaves together history, romance and patriotism in celebration of those who have devoted their lives to their country.
The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Canady Creative Arts Center.
"We are excited for the opportunity to have this semester’s concert on Veterans Day and to recognize all who have served,” said Alyssa Schwartz, music director of the Morgantown Community Orchestra. “To honor the occasion, we are performing some staple works of American composers and patriotic tunes.”
Under the baton of Schwartz and Shaun Hancher, the Morgantown Community Orchestra will perform “HoeDown” from “Rodeo” by Aaron Copland, “The Bamboula” by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, “1812 Overture” by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, “Armed Forces Salute” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa.
The MCO Youth Strings Program will perform “Tale as Old as Time” by Alan Menken and “Por Una Cabeza” by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera.
This performance will feature the world premiere of “Valse No. 2” for strings and woodwinds by Isabel Johnson, a 17-year-old Afro-Latina.
“In this piece, there are slight elements of Latin cadences, which can be heard mainly in the strings and the rhythm of the main theme. It was created to illustrate grace without necessarily following the rules of a traditional Valse,” Johnson said. “Most of my pieces are emotion-based and Valse expresses the emotions I felt at the time. I am humbled, grateful and excited to have this piece premiered by the Morgantown Community Orchestra.”
“We are thrilled for the world premiere of a new piece by the talented high school composer Isabel Johnson. This will be the first time the MCO has performed a world premiere in a while and we are honored to collaborate with up-and-coming musicians and artists,” Schwartz said.
Watch the livestream via the WVU Community Music Program YouTube channel.
Designed for intermediate and advanced players in the community and greater region who wish to share and develop their artistic talents, the MCO is the largest music ensemble of the WVU Community Music Program. The orchestra welcomes instrumentalists of a wide range of musical experience and provides a meaningful opportunity for artistic growth, community engagement and high-quality performance opportunities.
Registration for spring 2024 will open Jan. 8.
For more information contact Eftihia Arkoudis at evarkoudis@mail.wvu.edu.