Engage Your Senses at the Symphony

VALDOSTA -- The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra will perform a range of epic works during its 2010-11 season.

“More unforgettable experiences are in store for you this season with masterpieces such as Schumann’s gorgeous 'Piano Concerto', Mozart’s epic 'Mass in C minor', Beethoven’s joyful 'Pastoral' Symphony, Holst’s vivid 'The Planets' suite' (with NASA video footage), and Mahler’s awe-inspiring 'Resurrection' Symphony," said Maestro Howard Hsu, who also serves as assistant professor of Music and director of Orchestra Studies at VSU. “Our illustrious guest artists include poetic pianist Elizabeth Pridgen, brilliant violinist Amy Schwartz Moretti, dazzling soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna, and mellifluous mezzo-soprano Janine Hawley.”

Single tickets are available for $25 and season tickets may be purchased for $125 per subscription. VSU Employees are eligible for a season ticket discount of $50. To purchase tickets call the VSO Ticket Office at 229-333-2150. Go to www.valdostasymphony.org/ for more information about the season and to view the 20th anniversary notecard collection.

Subscription Concert One: Schumann the Romantic
8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, in Whitehead Auditorium
Soloist: Elizabeth Pridgen, piano

Celebrate Schumann’s 200th birthday with his sweeping piano concerto and powerful second symphony. A true romantic, Schumann had an unparalleled gift of melody and lyricism that has enchanted generations of audiences.

Subscription Concert Two: Magnificent Mozart
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20 in Whitehead Auditorium
Paul Neal, associate conductor

This stirring concert features the VSO’s own Principal Second Violinist Brent Williams and former Principal Violist Daphne Gerling in Mozart’s warm and exuberant Sinfonia Concertante. Soaring soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna will sing Mozart’s monumental Mass in C minor.

Special Concert One: Nutcracker
7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3; 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4; 2:30 p.m.
on Sunday, Dec. 5, in Mathis Auditorium

The VSO, in conjunction with Dance Arts, Inc., is proud to present the "Nutcracker" as part of the Valdosta Sesquicentennial Celebration.

Subscription Concert Three: Brilliant Beethoven
8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, 8:00 pm in Whitehead Auditorium
Soloist: Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin

The complete mastery of Beethoven is heard in his bucolic “Pastoral” Symphony, which will transport you to Beethoven’s countryside, and in his towering Violin Concerto, a masterpiece of the violin repertory.

Subscription Concert Four: Magical Mahler
8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, in Whitehead Auditorium
Soloists: Tamara Hardesty, soprano; Janine Hawley, mezzo soprano; 
VSU Concert Choir; VSU Chamber Singers and VSO Chorus under the direction of Director Paul Neal.

Mahler’s sprawling Second Symphony searches for the meaning of life and conveys the sheer terror and exalted glory of the last judgment and resurrection. This concert promises to be one of the most inspiring and unforgettable experiences of a lifetime.

Special Concert Two: Out of This World
8 p.m. Saturday, March 26; 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27,
 in Whitehead Auditorium

Adams -- "Short Ride in a Fast Machine"
Music from Star Trek
Holst -- "The Planets" (featuring footage from NASA)