Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia opens its 40th Anniversary season on Friday, September 26, 8:00 p.m., at Old Cabell Hall on the U.Va Grounds, and Sunday, September 28, 3:30 p.m., at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center at Charlottesville High School.
Conducted by Music Director Kate Tamarkin, the concerts open with the world premiere of Fanfare pour une celebration rubi (Fanfare for a ruby celebration), commissioned especially for the orchestra’s 40th anniversary from Texas composer Randol Alan Bass. I-Jen Fang is the featured soloist in Emmanuel Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra. The program also includes Antonín Dvorák’s Slavonic Dance No. 4 and Zoltán Kodály’s sparkling Háry János Suite.
Described as an “intrepid percussionist” by Fanfare Magazine, I-Jen Fang enjoys a varied career as a solo performer, chamber musician, orchestral player and teacher. She joined the faculty of the McIntire Department of Music at the University of Virginia in 2005 and as Principal Timpanist and Percussionist of the Charlottesville Symphony.
As a marimba soloist, Fang has performed in Taiwan, Austria, France, Hungary, Romania, South Africa and the United States. She has appeared in the Heritage Theater Festival, Staunton Music Festival, Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival, University of Virginia Chamber Music Series and Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. She also directs the New Music Ensemble at U.Va. Born in Taiwan, she was naturalized as a United States citizen on July 4th, 2014, at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.
Both performances are sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Virginia.
A Know the Score pre-concert lecture will be presented 45 minutes before Friday’s concert in Minor Hall. This month, there is no lecture prior to the Sunday concert. Free of charge, these informative and entertaining presentations by McIntire Department of Music Chairman and Associate Professor of Music Richard Will offer both novice and experienced patrons a deeper appreciation of the performances.
Free parking is available in the U.Va Central Grounds Parking Garage, located on Emmet Street, on Friday night and at Charlottesville High School on Sunday afternoon. Both venues are wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are $10-45 for adults and $10 for students. U.Va students may request one complimentary ticket in advance. Tickets may be purchased at The University of Virginia Arts Box Office, (434) 924-3376, 12:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday in the lobby of the Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road, or on-line at www.artsboxoffice.virginia.edu.
All University of Virginia employees are entitled to a 20% discount on tickets to individual performances. This offer does not apply to subscriptions, the December Family Holiday concerts or previously purchased tickets.
These concerts are supported by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Virginia.