The UMW Philharmonic presents “Classical Music’s Bad Boys,” a concert featuring the music of Wagner, Mussorgsky, Berlioz and Stravinsky on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $2 for students. Available for purchase at philharmonic.umw.edu or the concert!
UMW Philharmonic Starts Season with Masterworks Concert, Oct. 19
September 23, 2013 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra will begin its season of orchestral music on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. with a Halloween “Masterworks” concert entitled “Classical Music’s Bad Boys.” The concert will showcase the work of composers infamous for their personal escapes, including works from Wagner, Mussorgsky, Berlioz, Offenbach and Stravinsky.
The UMW Philharmonic Orchestra will kick off its 2013-2014 season on Saturday, Oct. 19.
The Fiddlestix Instrument Petting Zoo will precede the concert at 5:30 p.m., which will give children an opportunity to meet the musicians and try their instruments. The concert also will include a children’s costume parade to complete the Philharmonic’s first Halloween-themed event.
“We are dedicated to delighting our audiences both young and old with quality music and a little fun,” said Kevin Bartram, director of the 92-member orchestra.
The Philharmonic will continue its season with the holiday pops concerts on Thursday, Dec. 5 and Friday, Dec. 6, featuring for the first time, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 9 Ode to Joy.” UMW choirs will join the Philharmonic in the piece.
On March 29, 2014, the Philharmonic will feature Itzhak Perlman, the famous composer and violinist who performed at the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Tickets for the celebrity series performance featuring Perlman are available to Philharmonic donors online beginning on Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. Tickets are available to the public on Nov. 15.
The Philharmonic will perform in its final appearance of the season on Friday, April 25 for its spring concert. The concert will feature Philharmonic soloists and music well known for its endings, like Bizet’s “Farandole,” Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5,” and Strauss’ “Champagne Polka.”
Advance tickets for the October, December and April concerts are currently available online at philharmonic.umw.edu. All concerts are held in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium and cost $10 general admission and $2 for UMW students.
UMW Philharmonic Performs Eighth Annual Independence Day Spectacular
June 14, 2013 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra performed its eighth annual Independence Day Spectacular concert on Thursday, July 4. The concert and fireworks show was held in Stafford County’s Pratt Park.
The UMW Philharmonic Orchestra will perform its eighth annual Independence Day concert on Thursday, July 4.
The concert capped a full day of activities at downtown Frederickburg’s Heritage Festival. Last year, more than 6,000 people attended the event.
This year’s concert will include performances by the U.S. Marine Band from Quantico and actors from Riverside Dinner Theater. The Marine Band will perform from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will be joined by the UMW Eagle Pipe Band and Philharmonic violinist Lavar Edmonds in a selection from “Riverdance.” The cast of “Les Miserables” from Riverside will perform songs from the musical at 7 p.m. The UMW Philharmonic, under the direction of conductor Kevin Bartram, will take the stage at 8 p.m. for patriotic music and crowd favorites. At approximately 9:15, the Philharmonic will kick off the fireworks show and will continue playing music to the display.
This year, the Philharmonic welcomed back Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron, a past Celebrity Series Artist and a contestant in UMW’s upcoming “Dancing with the Fredericksburg Stars” event. Cameron’s songs, produced exclusively for her and the UMW Philharmonic, include “One Night Only” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Other featured songs include “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Over the Rainbow” and “God Bless the USA.”
UMW Philharmonic Presented “Young at Heart” Concert
April 15, 2013 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra presented its season finale performance on Saturday, April 20. The concert, “Young at Heart,” featured popular classics for all ages and began at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium.
The UMW Philharmonic Orchestra will present its season finale concert on April 20.
“I wanted to end the year with music that is all smiles and sure to please the entire family,” said Kevin Bartram, maestro of the Philharmonic.
The concert featured the Rappahannock Youth Symphony, directed by Veronica Jackson, in a solo piece and with the Philharmonic in the “Russian Sailor’s Dance.” For the first time, the Philharmonic presented “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” narrated by Keith Peters from Classics Radio. The work, by Benjamin Britten, highlights each section of the orchestra illustrates what various instruments sound like.
The program also included Copland’s “Billy the Kid Suite,” Kabalevsky’s “Dance of the Comedians,” Dvorak’s “Humoresque” and Jaromir Weinberger’s “Polka and Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper.”
The orchestra was honored by the American Prize as being among the top nine college orchestras in the country in 2009 and Bartram was honored as a top conductor in the college orchestra conductors division. The group, in its 42nd year, is comprised of both students and community members.
“It’s a great mix of talent, and each group brings out the best in the other,” said Bartram.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://philharmonic.umw.edu, call (540) 654-1324 or visit the Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center.
UMW Philharmonic Presents “Young at Heart” Concert
April 15, 2013 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra will present its season finale performance on Saturday, April 20. The concert, “Young at Heart,” will feature popular classics for all ages and will begin at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission.
The UMW Philharmonic Orchestra will present its season finale concert on April 20.
“I wanted to end the year with music that is all smiles and sure to please the entire family,” said Kevin Bartram, maestro of the Philharmonic.
The concert will feature the Rappahannock Youth Symphony, directed by Veronica Jackson, in a solo piece and with the Philharmonic in the “Russian Sailor’s Dance.” For the first time, the Philharmonic will present “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” narrated by Keith Peters from Classics Radio. The work, by Benjamin Britten, highlights each section of the orchestra illustrates what various instruments sound like.
The program also will include Copland’s “Billy the Kid Suite,” Kabalevsky’s “Dance of the Comedians,” Dvorak’s “Humoresque” and Jaromir Weinberger’s “Polka and Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper.”
The orchestra was honored by the American Prize as being among the top nine college orchestras in the country in 2009 and Bartram was honored as a top conductor in the college orchestra conductors division. The group, in its 42nd year, is comprised of both students and community members.
“It’s a great mix of talent, and each group brings out the best in the other,” said Bartram.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://philharmonic.umw.edu, call (540) 654-1324 or visit the Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center.
UMW Philharmonic Performs “The Magic of Christmas”
December 3, 2012 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra performed its annual holiday pops concert on Thursday, Dec. 6 and Friday, Dec.7. The family-oriented concert “The Magic of Christmas” was designed for all ages with music, magic and fun.
The concert featured the rarely heard full-length version of Leroy Anderson’s popular “Christmas Festival,” and the “Overture to Miracle on 34th Street,” with musical selections from the blockbuster holiday film “Polar Express” and holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The concert also included special appearances by Avery Ballet and local magician Michael Taggert. The evening concluded with an audience sing-a-long and a visit by Santa Claus.
“This is a beautiful show that will delight all the senses and put everyone in a holiday mood,” said Director of the Orchestra Kevin Bartram. “We’re very excited to share such unique music with audiences.”
Families were invited to come to the auditorium early on Thursday for the annual Fiddlestix Instrument Petting Zoo from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. This free event gave children the opportunity to see how musical instruments are played, and get a lesson on conducting from Bartram.
Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the Fredericksburg Visitors Center, online at http://philharmonic.umw.edu, or by calling (540) 654-1324.
This Saturday, Kenny Rogers Takes on UMW
April 19, 2012 by
Country music legend Kenny Rogers will perform with the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, April 21. The concert, which is part of the William M. Anderson, Jr. Celebrity Series, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the William M. Anderson Center.
Over the course of his 52-year career, Rogers has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and recorded more than 65 albums, with 24 No. 1 hits. He has received hundreds of awards for his music and charity work, including three Grammys, 11 People’s Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and five Country Music Association awards.
Ticket prices start at $25 and can be purchased by calling (877) 743-5318 or by visiting http://www.myticketstobuy.com/event-details.php?event=310.
In its 40th year, the UMW Philharmonic has approximately 90 members from the Fredericksburg community and the university. For more information, go to http://philharmonic.umw.edu.
President Hurley Receives National Recognition Award
March 22, 2012 by
The College Orchestra Directors Association has recognized UMW President Richard V. Hurley for his support of the university’s collegiate orchestra program. UMW Philharmonic Director Kevin P. Bartram presented Hurley with the national award during the orchestra’s “March Musical Mix” concert on Saturday, March 17.
The College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) is the largest professional organization of collegiate orchestra conductors across the country. The award honors individuals within member colleges and universities who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of college and university orchestras.
National CODA President Anthony Holland said that Hurley “surpasses expectations as a supporter of the Arts and of his community. It is apparent that President Hurley has demonstrated extraordinary faith in the ability of the UMW Philharmonic to promote the institution as a community partner. He sets an example for all of us.”
The honor, given every two years at the association’s national conference, is the organization’s most significant award. Past recipients have included major financial donors, presidents of institutions, board chairs, department heads and fellow college, university and community musicians.
For more information about the award, read the full news release from Saturday, March 17.
UMW Philharmonic Will Bring the Music of 1812 to Life This Weekend
March 15, 2012 by
The University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra will perform classical works from Europe and America during its March Musical Mix concert on Saturday, March 17.
The program will include Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and the evolving versions leading up to the U.S. national anthem “The Star Spangled Banner.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $2 for UMW faculty, staff and students.
Through research on the origins of “The Star Spangled Banner,” UMW Philharmonic Director Kevin Bartram learned it stems from a British drinking song. Its path through American colonial times gave Bartram the idea to present this patriotic piece as never before featured—from its musical roots to a modern symphonic rendition.
“We had to commission a special arrangement of ‘Anachreon’ to match the 18th century version, as the sheet music was not available. You’ll hear the true original,” Bartram said.
“To Anacreon in Heaven,” the underlying British tune from the 19th century, originated as a gentleman’s club song. Then, in Boston it became a patriotic tune and was labeled “Adam’s and Liberty” before Francis Scott Key’s poem formed the verses of “The Star Spangled Banner.” The UMW Philharmonic will be joined by vocalist Daryl Ott, a noted baritone who performed with the orchestra most recently for its Fourth of July concert.
The program also will include classical favorites at the concert, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, featured in the 2010 film, “The Kings Speech.”
Although performances of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” sometimes include firing cannons, the Friends of the Philharmonic are planning a unique way to simulate the sound in an indoor setting.
“The UMW Philharmonic is committed to bringing the highest level of musical entertainment to the community and has recently begun to attract an increasingly more diverse audience representing multiple generations,” said Conrad Warlick, chairman of the Friends of the Philharmonic. “We are passionate about promoting classical music and education.”
Donations and concert fees fund music scholarships that help to attract talented musicians to the university and enable a variety of classical programs that also feature guest artists and celebrities.
Concert tickets can be purchased online at www.philharmonic.umw.edu or at the concert hall. For more information, call (540) 654-1012 or visit http://www.facebook.com/UMWPhil.
