Midland Symphony Orchestra
Spooky Symphony
SAT, OCT 7, 2023 / 7:30 PM
Miklós Rózsa: Spellbound Suite
Bernard Herrmann: Scene D'amour from Vertigo
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
Rob Schwimmer, Theremin
Theremin virtuoso Rob Schwimmer joins the Midland Symphony Orchestra playing excerpts from Alfred Hitchcock's classic films Spellbound and Vertigo. The famously eerie sounds created by the electronic theremin – without physical contact – will send chills down your spine! This first act will be paired with Berlioz’s diabolical Symphonie Fantastique – the haunting portrayal of an artist's self-destructive obsession for a beautiful woman, and that passion's gruesome, diabolical consequences. This is a great way to kick off the spookiest time of the year!
Miklós Rózsa: Spellbound Suite
Bernard Herrmann: Scene D'amour from Vertigo
Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique
Rob Schwimmer, Theremin
Theremin virtuoso Rob Schwimmer joins the Midland Symphony Orchestra playing excerpts from Alfred Hitchcock's classic films Spellbound and Vertigo. The famously eerie sounds created by the electronic theremin – without physical contact – will send chills down your spine! This first act will be paired with Berlioz’s diabolical Symphonie Fantastique – the haunting portrayal of an artist's self-destructive obsession for a beautiful woman, and that passion's gruesome, diabolical consequences. This is a great way to kick off the spookiest time of the year!
Postcards
SAT, NOV 4, 2023 / 7:30 PM
Jean Sibelius: Finlandia
Andres Martin: Concerto for Double Bass
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Bass
The Midland Symphony Orchestra will perform picturesque works from around the globe, featuring musical depictions of inspiring vistas – physical and metaphorical. The Orchestra will take you on a thrilling journey guided by bassist Kebra-Seyoun Charles, playing a riveting bass concerto written by Argentinian composer Andres Martin. Kebra-Seyoun, winner of the Robert Frederick Smith Prize at the International Sphinx Competition, will continue to escort us on our travels through the beauty and drama of Finlandia and the exquisite delights of An American in Paris.
Jean Sibelius: Finlandia
Andres Martin: Concerto for Double Bass
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
Kebra-Seyoun Charles, Bass
The Midland Symphony Orchestra will perform picturesque works from around the globe, featuring musical depictions of inspiring vistas – physical and metaphorical. The Orchestra will take you on a thrilling journey guided by bassist Kebra-Seyoun Charles, playing a riveting bass concerto written by Argentinian composer Andres Martin. Kebra-Seyoun, winner of the Robert Frederick Smith Prize at the International Sphinx Competition, will continue to escort us on our travels through the beauty and drama of Finlandia and the exquisite delights of An American in Paris.
Holiday Pops
SAT, DEC 9, 2023 / 8 PM
Abby Mueller, Vocalist
Broadway star Abby Mueller hosts our annual Midland Center tradition. Her breathtaking voice will be joined by the Choirs of the Center caroling all of your favorite seasonal tunes, accompanied by your own Midland Symphony Orchestra. Abby originated the role of Queen Jane Seymour in the Tony ® Award-winning smash hit SIX: THE MUSICAL on Broadway, originated the role of Carole for the First National Tour of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, and reprised that critically acclaimed performance on Broadway. Other credits include KINKY BOOTS on Broadway and extensive regional roles, including Fantine in LES MISÉRABLES, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, Ellen in MISS SAIGON, and Abigail Adams in 1776. Don’t miss this signature event of the Great Lakes Bay region’s holiday season
Abby Mueller, Vocalist
Broadway star Abby Mueller hosts our annual Midland Center tradition. Her breathtaking voice will be joined by the Choirs of the Center caroling all of your favorite seasonal tunes, accompanied by your own Midland Symphony Orchestra. Abby originated the role of Queen Jane Seymour in the Tony ® Award-winning smash hit SIX: THE MUSICAL on Broadway, originated the role of Carole for the First National Tour of BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, and reprised that critically acclaimed performance on Broadway. Other credits include KINKY BOOTS on Broadway and extensive regional roles, including Fantine in LES MISÉRABLES, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, Ellen in MISS SAIGON, and Abigail Adams in 1776. Don’t miss this signature event of the Great Lakes Bay region’s holiday season
Wonders of Nature
SAT, FEB 24, 2024 / 7:30 PM
John Estacio: Aurora Triptych
Claude Debussy: La Mer
Explore and revel in one of the most beautiful naturally occurring wonders of the world – the Aurora Borealis – as the Orchestra performs Aurora Triptych by John Estacio, accompanied by a live film featuring inspiring and breathtaking images and video of the Northern Lights as curated by award-winning astronomer, Dr. José Francisco Salgado. The second half of the program features Debussy’s impressionistic and powerfully elegant tribute to the majesty of the sea, La Mer.
John Estacio: Aurora Triptych
Claude Debussy: La Mer
Explore and revel in one of the most beautiful naturally occurring wonders of the world – the Aurora Borealis – as the Orchestra performs Aurora Triptych by John Estacio, accompanied by a live film featuring inspiring and breathtaking images and video of the Northern Lights as curated by award-winning astronomer, Dr. José Francisco Salgado. The second half of the program features Debussy’s impressionistic and powerfully elegant tribute to the majesty of the sea, La Mer.
These Women's Works
SAT, APR 13, 2024 / 7:30 PM
Lili Boulanger: D'un Matin de printemps
Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor
Amy Beach: Symphony No. 2 (Gaelic)
Wynona Wang, Piano
Sensational multi-prize-winning pianist, Wynona Wang, makes her Midland Symphony Orchestra debut playing the bouncy and bold Piano Concerto in A minor, a piece written by Clara Schumann when she was only a teenager. Wynona is the perfect soloist to be featured in an evening that features the work of noted female composers. The Orchestra will then play works by other groundbreaking female composers, featuring Amy Beach’s glorious ‘Gaelic’ Symphony – the first to be published by an American Woman – and Lili Boulanger's masterful tone poem, D'un Matin de pintemps, about the pleasure and promise of a spring morning.
Lili Boulanger: D'un Matin de printemps
Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor
Amy Beach: Symphony No. 2 (Gaelic)
Wynona Wang, Piano
Sensational multi-prize-winning pianist, Wynona Wang, makes her Midland Symphony Orchestra debut playing the bouncy and bold Piano Concerto in A minor, a piece written by Clara Schumann when she was only a teenager. Wynona is the perfect soloist to be featured in an evening that features the work of noted female composers. The Orchestra will then play works by other groundbreaking female composers, featuring Amy Beach’s glorious ‘Gaelic’ Symphony – the first to be published by an American Woman – and Lili Boulanger's masterful tone poem, D'un Matin de pintemps, about the pleasure and promise of a spring morning.
Midland Symphony Orchestra programs are made possible in part through the generosity of Sarah & Dan Opperman and Ken & Gina Pederson.