NEWS RELEASE
Date: March 13, 2018
For Immediate Release
Photos Available Upon Request
Contact: Jeana Varney
Phone: 417.864.6683
Cell: 417.349.0906
jeana@springfieldmosymphony.org
411 N. Sherman Parkway
Springfield, MO 65802
Springfield Symphony to feature SSO Principal Flute, Springfield Youth Symphony, Beethoven’s Fifth
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Springfield Symphony is excited to present the most well-known classical piece, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, at its After the Revolution classical concert on Saturday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts (525 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy).
“There’s a lot I’m excited about in our March concert. First of all, we’re playing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. There are a few works of art that are so famous that practically everyone, even people who don’t go to museums and concerts, knows–the Mona Lisa, ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony,” stated Kyle Wiley Pickett, music director/conductor for the Springfield Symphony. “Beethoven’s Fifth is practically synonymous with classical music. Even someone who has never been to a concert or heard an orchestra can hum the opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth. What is awesome about Beethoven’s Fifth is that it’s the most recognizable melody in classical music…and it deserves that reputation. It really is a thrilling piece of art that anyone can enjoy.”
Pickett will deliver a pre-concert talk from the stage at 6:30 p.m. and pre-concert music will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall box office, and can be purchased by calling (417) 836-7678 or online at www.missouristatetix.com. Ticket prices range from $17 – $33 and discounts are available for students and seniors.
“We’re also playing a couple of pieces that I think are going to be really interesting and possibly new to many in our audience. We are playing The Deep, Deep Sea by Chinese-American composer Zhou Long, who currently serves on the faculty of UMKC. This piece is kind of a flute concerto, so we are featuring our own principal flutist Jill Heyboer on this really gorgeous, evocative meditation on the beauty of the natural world. And we’re also playing the Variaciones Concertantes by Argentinian composer Ginastera. This piece is a blast to play—it’s raucous, jazzy, and wild. Finally, the Springfield Youth Symphony will join us onstage to play the ever-popular Finlandia. There’s always such great energy when we bring the Youth Symphony up to play with us, and we know the audience will enjoy seeing these talented young people performing at Hammons Hall.”
Join Pickett at a free monthly event, Behind the Baton, at Ocean Zen on Thursday, March 22 (4117 S National Ave) for the opportunity to meet guest artist Jill Heyboer and to hear Pickett talk about the music that will be performed at the March 24 concert. The meet & greet begins at 5:00 p.m. and the program will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Pickett is available for any interviews or questions. Please feel free to email him at kwpickett@gmail.com or call at (417) 837-9422. The concert is being sponsored by Positronic, TLC Properties, State Farm – Agents of SWMO, Reliable Superstore, and KSPR.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional funding for all Springfield Symphony Orchestra programming is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, visit www.springfieldmosymphony.org or www.facebook.com/springfieldsymphony.
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