UW Symphony Orchestra to Present Opening Night Concert Oct. 10

The opening of a new symphony season is always eagerly awaited, and interested parties ask -- "What music did the conductor choose for the year? Are there good new players?" And, most importantly, "It has been too long since the last concert."

These questions will be answered at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, when the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (UWSO), conducted by Michael Griffith, UW director of orchestral activities, begins its concert season in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall. A reception, with light refreshments, follows in the center's lobby.

Tickets are $16 for the public, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. A nominal processing fee will be charged for each ticket. To purchase tickets, visit the Performing Arts box office, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984.

About a year and a half ago, Griffith received an email from Courtney Hershey Bress, principal harpist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). She invited Griffith to attend the premiere of a new harp concerto, written for her and the CSO. Griffith attended and listened two ways: as an audience member enjoying something unusual and as the UWSO conductor, thinking, "Could the UW Symphony do this same piece?"

"The answer was a resounding 'yes,'" Griffith says.

For the opening night, Hershey Bress will be the soloist as "Harp of Ages" by Michael Daugherty makes its way to Laramie. It includes everything from contemporary techniques to an Irish jig to the "Star Trek" theme, and it will make the audience say, "I didn't know a harp could do that," Griffith adds.

The concert will open with "The Magic Flute," a favorite Mozart overture.

"The piece alternates deep solemnity with the lightest music a person can imagine," Griffith says.

The UWSO needed a closer, something with plenty of variety and something to fit the orchestra's "Orchestral Power" theme. This means something that would feature the group's great violin recruiting year -- 33 violins this fall -- and use the excellent returning brass section as well.

"The orchestra needed something not too difficult, so as not to overwhelm the freshmen who are new to the demands of a college orchestra, and something that would set them up for 'Pictures at an Exhibition' in November," Griffith says. "Borodin's Second Symphony fits perfectly. It has melodies for the violins, powerful brass writing and is Russian, as is 'Pictures.'"

The opening concert takes places during UW Family Weekend, which has already reserved 50 tickets, so it's suggested that guests purchase their tickets as soon as possible, Griffith adds.

For more information, email Griffith at [email protected].

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