Minot Symphony Orchestra opens 2018-19 season
MINOT, N.D. – Minot Symphony Orchestra opens their 2018-19 season this Saturday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Minot State University’s Ann Nicole Nelson Hall with “P’ for Peace.”
“Originally I had planned a totally different first concert, but we ran into conflicts with our soloists for the season and I had to move things around,” said Efrain Amaya, Minot Symphony Orchestra Maestro and assistant professor of music at Minot State University. “I think the thought of ‘P’ for Peace’ came when I noticed the names of a couple of the pieces that we were doing started with a P. Then I thought of playing with words of ‘P’ for Peace’ instead of ‘P’ for Piece of Music.’ I really wanted to make a call for peace. I find that we fight over trivial things and it looks more than ever that the country is divided. My hope is that perhaps we will all realize that we all want the same things, but we most of the time just stubbornly only see one way of achieving that.
“Music, like all art forms, has the power to unite us and heal us.”
The performance begins with Claude Debussy’s “Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”, moves into “Pulcinella” by Igor Stravinsky and Faure’s incidental music to the play “Pelleas and Melisande,” and ends with composer Franz Liszt’s “Le Prelude.”
While this is the Minot Symphony Orchestra’s 93rd season, this will be Amaya’s fourth.
“This will be my fourth season as music director. I’ve had many highlights during my tenure. I guess the ones that stand out the most to me are the concerts when I have featured pieces of mine. As I’m a composer as well as a conductor, it’s always a treat for me to be able to conducts my own music. Some concerts that stand out are the ones involving the chorus that have joined us in several concerts through these past three years. Choirs like the Minot High School Choir, the MSU Concert Choir, the Minot Chamber Chorale, the Western Plains Orchestra Children Chorus, among others,” Amaya said.
“P’ for Peace,” is the first of six concert series performed by the Minot Symphony Orchestra in their 2018-19 season. “Things that go Bump in the Night,” Oct. 27, “Holiday Magic,” Dec. 8, “Decomposing Composers,” Feb. 2, “Movie Magic,” March 2, and “The Mighty Five,” April 27, comprise the rest of the season.
“I am excited about the upcoming season,” Amaya said. “I have included a couple of my pieces in a couple of concerts, and I’m looking forward to sharing some of my favorite pieces like Debussy’s “The Afternoon of a Faun,” Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibitions,” Ravel’s “Bolero,” Poulenc’s “Gloria,” and many others. See you at the Symphony.”
The Minot Symphony Orchestra is comprised of student, community, and professional musicians from the Minot area.
“As we start our 93rd season, I don’t think the core mission of the orchestra has changed much. The Minot Symphony Orchestra had - from the beginning - a strong Minot State University connection and this relationship has kept growing and developing to this incredible and fortunate partnership that we have now. Thanks to MSU and the MSO Association the orchestra thrives, and I foresee it becoming more professional as we look into the future,” Amaya said.
All performances are held at Minot State’s Ann Nichole Nelson Hall. Prices and tickets can be found online at www.minotsymphony.com.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
| Published: 09/20/18 |
