September 15, 2023

Another Lansing Symphony Orchestra season is now officially underway with last night’s  season opener at the Wharton Center.  One of the highlights was the introduction of the LSO’s new Composer-in-Residence, Jared Miller. We began the concert with his work “Surge and Swell”, a work inspired by the sounds of New York’s night club scene, especially the EDM (Electronic Dance Music) element.
 
Pianist Claire Huangci joined us for Ravel’s Concerto in G, and we closed the program with Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”. With the American jazz roots of Ravel’s work, the Native American and African American influences on Dvorak's along with Jared’s work, it was an “All-American” program albeit from many different perspectives.
 
Also notable was the reception that followed the concert. This was an event designed for the musicians of the orchestra and composers from the area to meet and mingle with Jared. One of our objectives of LSO’s Composer-in-Residence program is to further strengthen the bonds within the extraordinary community of composers in Michigan…and it is a remarkable community for sure. I was so pleased to see so many composers here, and most importantly, making plans to connect and work with Jared during his time with us.
 
Next up is Orff’s epic Carmina Burana in Lansing, and an uplifting and inspiring work of Valerie Coleman.
 
NEXT UP
 
November 10, 2023
 
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
MSU University Chorale, State Singers and Choral Union
Penelope Shumate, soprano
David Shaler, Tenor
Babatunde Akinboboye, Baritone
 
Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
East Lansing, Michigan
7:30 p.m.
 
Valerie Coleman         Umoja
Carl Orff                      Carmina Burana
 
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