The Lee University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Artist-in-Residence Bob Bernhardt, will present its fall concert in Pangle Hall on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
The Lee University Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Artist-in-Residence Bob Bernhardt, will present its fall concert in Pangle Hall on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
“Having just performed with "ARRIVAL From Sweden" during Lee’s Celebration 2016 festivities, the Symphony is working hard on this challenging program of great music,” said Maestro Bernhardt.
The concert will open with “Finlandia,” by Jean Sibelius. According to Maestro Bernhardt, it is a powerful, energetic, and beautiful tone poem and a superb concert opener. Graduate conducting student Seok Joon Kuen will conduct this work, making his debut with Lee Symphony.
Telemann’s “Concerto for Viola” will be the second of the evening’s performances. It is a four-movement work which highlights the unique tone of the viola, and for its time, was a rare virtuoso display for the instrument. Megan Chisom, instructor of viola at Lee, will make her debut with the orchestra as the soloist of this piece.
The program will close with Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” “This journey from rage to joy over its four movements has made it one of the most popular symphonies ever written,” said Maestsro Bernhardt. “It remains one of the most rewarding challenges in the repertoire.”
Maestro Bernhardt joined Lee's School of Music in the fall of 2011. He also serves as music director emeritus and principal pops conductor of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, principal pops conductor of the Louisville Orchestra, and principal pops conductor of the Grand Rapids Symphony. He spent 19 seasons serving as the music director and conductor with the CSO and is the first to hold the title emeritus. He is also a frequent guest conductor for the Boston Pops and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.
The Symphony Orchestra ensemble of select instrumentalists performs one major concert each semester. Its musicians frequently participate in operatic, choral, and other concerts on campus. The ensemble also sponsors an annual concerto competition for university students.
Monday’s concert is a free, non-ticketed event, and is open to the public.
For more information about the concert, contact Lee’s School of Music at 614-8240 or at music@leeuniversity.edu.