Gateway Chamber Orchestra unveils the exciting “Our City” 2015-16 Season. This season is the year for unparalleled programs paying tribute to Clarksville and celebrating its citizens.
The world-class Gateway Chamber Orchestra presents beloved masterworks including Mozart’s Symphony No. 40, Beethoven’s powerful Eroica Symphony and Ravel’s mesmerizing score to Mother Goose. These classical masterpieces have been carefully chosen to complement the stunning new works the Orchestra will present.
Gateway Chamber Orchestra Director Gregory Wolynec, says, “This year marks an exciting exploration of our great city and the fascinating citizens that make up Clarksville! With the help of local composers, as well as visual artists Black & Jones, we will showcase the extraordinary breadth and talent that our community has to offer."
The orchestra will showcase music by three local composers, Juilliard-trained composer Cristina Spinei and the award-winning composer Jeffrey Wood. Inspired by text from the Elephant Man, Wood's world premiere of Different Bodies, features baritone, Jeffrey Williams. Elegy, by celebrated Clarksville native Clarence Cameron White, will receive its Tennessee premiere 60 years after it was written.
The season concludes with a pairing of Mannahatta, a new-music orchestral song by Judd Greenstein written for indie-rock vocalist DM Stith, with Beethoven’s monumental Eroica Symphony. Greenstein’s exhilarating new work, commissioned in collaboration with the Detroit Symphony and North Carolina Symphony is set to the poetry of Walt Whitman, and celebrates home and one’s community. The musical backdrop and visual panorama of Clarksville’s citizens by Black & Jones will celebrate our city’s personality and heritage.
The Family and Children’s Series will expand to two orchestral programs this season. In November, A Young Person’s Latin Guide to the Orchestra features the incredible animation of visual artists Black & Jones. April brings a return engagement of the celebrated author Anna Celenza. She will narrate one of her most popular children’s books, "Rhapsody in Blue" with pianist Jeffrey Biegel performing.
Subscriptions for the Family Two-Concert Series begin at $25 for Adults and $15 for Students and Military. The four-concert Masterworks Series subscriptions begin at $50 for Adults, $30 for children and $130 for a family. This year, a portion of each student ticket will go directly back to Montgomery County Schools for music education.
Subscriptions are available on August 7, by phone at (931) 444-6240 or online at www.gatewaychamberorchestra.com. Single concert tickets will go on-sale Wednesday, September 2, 2015.
The 2015-16 Season
Sunday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. (Evening Concert)
Opening Night with Schubert and Haydn
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Cristina Spinei – Strut (world première)
Franz Schubert – Symphony No. 3 in D Major
Jean Sibelius – Valse Triste
Franz Joseph Haydn – Symphony No. 88 in G Major
Join the Gateway Chamber Orchestra for an evening of music inspired by dance. Nashville-based Cristina Spinei premieres her new chamber orchestra arrangement of Strut. Schubert’s graceful Symphony No. 3 still sounds fresh – even as the piece turns 200 years old this year. Honoring the 150th birthday of Jean Sibelius, the GCO performs one of his signature works. Haydn’s cheerful Symphony No. 88 will send everyone home whistling the famous finale.
Sunday, October 18, at 4:00 p.m.
*Masterwork concerts at a new time: 4 p.m.
Quintessential Mozart
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Clarence Cameron White - Elegy
Bela Bartók – Divertimento for Strings
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 40 in G Minor
The GCO reaffirms the talent of Clarksville-native violinist and composer Clarence Cameron White with a performance of his peaceful Elegy. Bartók’s masterpiece for strings highlights soloists within the chamber orchestra with a joyful finish. The grand finale of Mozart’s sublime symphony enchants and energizes; don’t be surprised when its light and buoyant tempo has you secretly tapping your toes!
Sunday, November 15, at 3:00 p.m.
A Young Person’s Latin Guide to the Orchestra
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Alberto Ginastera – Variaziones Concertantes
The dynamic animation duo of Black & Jones returns to enthrall children and adults alike with their visual wizardry. Full of lively graphics and music, this is one concert your family will relish! This dazzling introduction to the orchestra highlights the virtuosity of the GCO musicians and showcases Ginastera’s brilliant use of Argentinean rhythms and melodies.
Sunday, December 6th Clarksville 3:00 p.m.
Winter Baroque
Madison Street United Methodist Church
Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto for Strings in G Minor, RV 156
J.S. Bach – Orchestral Suite No. 2
Marc-Antoine Charpentier – ‘Midnight’ Mass
Our holiday concert tradition features Charpentier’s inspirational Mass based on French Christmas carols (Noels). Classic works by Baroque titans J.S. Bach and Vivaldi set the stage for the annual sing-a-long which concludes this festive program.
Sunday, February 7, at 4:00 p.m.
Enchanting Tales with Jeffrey Williams, baritone
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Giochinno Rossini – Il signor Bruschino Overture
Jeffrey Wood – Different Bodies (world première)
Maurice Ravel – Ma mère l’oye (Mother Goose)
Rossini’s charming overture is juxtaposed against Jeffrey Wood’s brooding world premiere, based on texts inspired by the Elephant Man. The GCO presents a full spectrum of contrasting musical fables and emotional tales, concluding with Ravel’s colorful Mother Goose, an enchanting garden of magic.
Sunday, March 20, at 3:00 p.m.
Rhapsody in Blue with Jeffrey Biegel, piano; Anna Celenza, author
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
Our critically acclaimed Family Series continues to spotlight stellar guest artists. This “musical kaleidoscope of America” introduces children to Gershwin’s great classic and its exciting debut, with pianist Jeffrey Biegel and narration by author Anna Celenza.
Sunday, April 10th Clarksville 4:00 p.m.
OUR CITY with DM Stith, vocalist
Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Judd Greenstein – Mannahatta
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major “Eroica”
The GCO pulls out all the stops for this exhilarating season conclusion. Judd Greenstein’s original score set to the poetry of Walt Whitman features the vocal acrobatics of genre blending DM Stith. Beethoven’s mighty Eroica Symphony captures the spirit of the GCO ranging from intimate sensitivity to inspirational exuberance.
CLARKSVILLE SUBSCRIPTION PRICING:
FULL SEASON: MasterWorks, Family Concerts and Winter Baroque (Seven concerts)
Adults: $80 | $95 | $110
Students/Military: $45 | $60 | $75
Family: $205 | $250 | $295 *includes unlimited children
Masterworks Concert Series (Four concerts)
Adults: $50 | $65 | $ 80
Students/Military: $30 | $45 | $60
Family: $130 | $175 | $220
Family Subscription Series (Two concerts)
Adults: $25
Students: $15
Family: $65, unlimited children may attend
Ticketing for Clarksville handled online and via APSU box office
Venue: Sharon & George Mabry Concert Hall, Austin Peay State University
Telephone: (931) 444-6240 | Box office opens 1 ½ hours before concert
About The Gateway Chamber Orchestra: Conducted by Gregory Wolynec, the GCO was formed in 2008 and is recognized as one of the leading new American ensembles. Comprised of professional musicians from Middle Tennessee and beyond, the GCO specializes in presenting traditional masterworks, overlooked treasures, and contemporary American compositions. The GCO’s recordings have received critical acclaim in publications such as the American Record Guide and Fanfare Magazine. Engaging 5,000 Middle Tennessee students annually with classical music through free performances, innovative educational outreach, and interactive Children’s Concerts, the GCO is committed to building new audiences for tomorrow. Visit gatewaychamberorchestra.com to learn more.