The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Proudly Presents its 2015-2016 SEASON

    KALAMAZOO, MI, February 22, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is excited to announce its 2015-2016 season. From the programming to the artistry, each performance, composition, and note promises to be better than the last, so Stay Tuned!

In the new season, the KSO's Symphonic Series invites a stellar lineup of virtuosic guest artists, including internationally-acclaimed French pianist Pascal Roge, Kalamazoo Symphony's own Principal Flautist Yukie Ota, Principal Cellist of the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, Hai-Ye Ni, the May 2015 Stulberg International String Competition winner, among others. Music Director Raymond Harvey leads the orchestra in one moving work after another - beginning with Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, followed by Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Faure's Requiem, and concluding with a rousing performance of Stravinsky's Petrouchka preceded by Elgar's Cello Concerto.

KSO Pops! presents an unmatched lineup of entertainment this season, beginning with the Symphonic World Premiere of Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, regaling audiences with the international chart toppers by the King of Pop, alongside the KSO. And also joining us for another amazing Pops concert is seven-time Grammy Award winning Pop, Rock and R&B legend, Al Jarreau, with over 70 KSO musicians on stage for Al Jarreau in Symphony.

The 2015-16 season offers an array of other exciting programming, including the KSO's The World Of concert series, this season highlighting the music of Stravinsky and Vivaldi. The Classics Chamber Series receives an exciting new addition to the existing Classics Uncorked concerts, with Classics On Tap to be presented at Bell's Eccentric Cafe. Audiences have now two opportunities to experience intimate chamber music, but in the venue (and with the spirits) of their choosing. The Family Discovery Series offers three afternoon concerts especially suited for children and families. The KSO has partnered with Classical Kids to bring you two world famous productions: Beethoven Lives Upstairs and Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery. In collaboration with Ballet Arts Ensemble the KSO will also present: Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker. A special performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Gilmore Festival Finale, with pianist Rafal Blechaz, is also not to be missed!

The always-anticipated attraction of the KSO's season is its Special Events series. One of the most recognized sopranos of all time, Jessye Norman, joins Maestro Raymond Harvey and the KSO for its annual Sounds of the Season concert, featuring beloved songs of the holiday season. To kick off a three year exclusive partnership with Disney, the KSO presents KSO @ The Movies with Disney In Concert: Alice in Wonderland, conducted by Maestro Harvey and featuring the Kalamazoo Singers and the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus. This full length film with original voice and sound effects will play on the big screen while your very KSO musicians bring the amazing and breath-taking Danny Elfman's score to life.

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Raymond Harvey, has this to say about the upcoming season: "I am truly excited to debut our 95th season to our patrons and our community. We may be getting old but the symphony is acting as young and vibrant as ever. There truly is something for every music lover to enjoy this season."

" I am so excited that we are able to bring this wide array of wonderful artists and repertoire to the Kalamazoo community" said Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. "While we continue to work on our three-year strategic plan, our 2015-2016 season clearly shows where we want to head with our beloved orchestra".

Current subscribers will receive their personalized renewal packets in the mail or can renew their subscriptions now by calling the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra office at (269) 349-7759. Subscriptions for first time subscribers are available for up to 50% off and can be purchased through the KSO office. Single tickets will go on sale August 24, 2015.
Please visit the brand new kalamazoosymphony.com for more information.

ABOUT THIS SEASON'S PERFORMANCES
Symphonic Series

Brahms & Tchaikovsky
Friday, September 18, 2015 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Lana Trotovsek, violin

London-based violinist and international rising star, Lana Trotovsek, makes her US symphony orchestra debut in Kalamazoo with the famous Brahms Violin Concerto. The concerto paired with Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony, is sure to be an amazing season opener!

Brahms Violin Concerto
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4


Mozart & Haydn
Saturday, October 17, 2015 | 8pm
Chenery Auditorium
Edwin Outwater, conductor
James Austin Smith, oboe

Distinguished Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Music Director, Edwin Outwater, makes his KSO debut in a harmonious Mozart-Haydn program. Playing Mozart's famous Oboe Concerto in C Major is New York based oboist James Austin Smith, praised for his "virtuosic, dazzling and brilliant performances" - New York Times.

Muhly So Far So Good
Mozart Oboe Concerto in C Major
Haydn Symphony No. 102


Saint-Saens & Shostakovich
Miller Auditorium
Friday, November 20, 2015 | 8pm
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Pascal Roge, piano

Internationally acclaimed French pianist, Pascal Roge, joins the KSO for a moving performance of Saint-Saens 5th Piano Concerto. This performance, coupled with Shostakovich's incomparable 5th Symphony, promises to be a highlight of the season!

Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 5 (Egyptian)
Shostakovich Symphony No. 5

Beethoven & Nielsen
Friday, February 19, 2016 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Yukie Ota, flute
2015 Stulberg International String Competition Winner

Enjoy Beethoven's amazing 6th Symphony, and our very own principal flute and YouTube sensation, Yukie Ota, in the well-known Nielsen's Flute Concerto. We will also feature the 2015 Stulberg International String Competition winner.


TBD Winner of Stulberg International String Competition
Nielsen Flute Concerto
Beethoven Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)


Brahms & Faure
Chenery Auditorium | Saturday, March 19, 2016 | 8pm
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Leon Williams, Baritone
Soprano TBD
Brahms' 2nd Serenade, featuring the KSO's talented viola section, is complemented by one of the most praised works of all time, Gabriel Faure's Requiem. This beautiful concert showcases local choirs as well as baritone, Leon Williams.

Brahms Serenade No. 2
Kernis Concerto with Echoes
Faure Requiem

Elgar & Stravinsky
Saturday, April 23, 2016 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Hai-ye Ni, cello

Hai-ye Ni, Principal Cello of the internationally renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, makes her Kalamazoo Symphony debut with Elgar's Cello Concerto. With Stravinsky's amazing masterpiece Petrouchka, this end to our symphonic series will leave you wanting more!

Siegmeister Lonesome Hollow
Elgar Cello Concerto
Stravinsky Petrouchka

KSO Pops!

Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band
Symphonic World Premiere
Saturday, November 7, 2015 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor

The Michael Jackson Tribute Band comes to Kalamazoo for the Symphonic World Premiere debut of their Who's Bad concert program. Don't miss this unique opportunity and be part of a thrilling concert experience!


Al Jarreau in Symphony
Saturday, February 27, 2016 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor

Al Jarreau, the seven-time Grammy Award winner and internationally renowned pop, rock and R&B legend, joins your KSO with his acclaimed symphonic program, featuring over 70 KSO musicians on stage! Join us for this not-to-be-missed concert.

World Of

The World Of Stravinsky
Sunday, September 27, 2015 | 3pm
Dalton Recital Hall, WMU
Raymond Harvey, conductor

Stravinsky Concerto in Eb (Dumbarton Oaks)
Apollon Musagete (excerpts)
Octet
Four Norwegian Moods
L'Histoire du Soldat (excerpts)


The World Of Vivaldi
Sunday, January 10, 2016 | 3pm
Dalton Recital Hall, WMU
Raymond Harvey, conductor

Vivaldi Sinfonias, #1 and #2
Concerto for Mandolin RV 425
Concerto for Orchestra, RV 155
Concerto for 2 Trumpets
Four Seasons, Autumn and Winter


Special Events

Sounds of the Season: Christmas with Jessye Norman
Chenery Auditorium
Saturday, December 19, 2015 | 8pm
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Jessye Norman, soprano

World famous, multi award winning opera star, Jessye Norman will join your KSO for this annual holiday extravaganza. Join us for an unforgettable evening with all of your holiday favorites sung by one of the most recognized sopranos of all time.


KSO @ The Movies
Disney in Concert - Alice in Wonderland
Saturday, April 2, 2016 | 8pm
Miller Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Kalamazoo Singers (Richard Phelps, director)
Kalamazoo Children's Chorus (Fred Sang, director)

The KSO, in partnership with Disney, proudly presents Disney in Concert - Alice in Wonderland. This full-length Disney movie, with original dialogue and sound effects plays on the big screen while your KSO musicians bring Danny Elfman's score to life for an amazing, multi-sensory, family event!

Classics Chamber Series

Classics Chamber Series features an evening of chamber favorites in an intimate setting. Hear your KSO musicians up close and personal as you socialize with neighbors and KSO musicians. At Classics Uncorked enjoy a complimentary coffee and dessert reception as well as discover amazing national and international wines as they are brought to you by our very own KSO Sommelier. If you are more of a brew enthusiast, join us at Bell's Eccentric Cafe as we listen to the same great chamber favorites as we tap into beautiful music and beloved Bell's beer.

Classics Uncorked, Winter Evening
Friday, January 22, 2016 | 8pm
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Including works by J.S. Bach and Shostakovich


Classics On Tap, Winter Evening
Saturday, January 23, 2016 | 8pm
Bell's Eccentric Cafe

Including works by J.S. Bach and Shostakovich


Classics Uncorked, Spring Evening
Friday, April 15, 2016 | 8pm
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Including works by Scriabin, Smit, White and Dohnanyi, with a special performance on piano from Music Director Raymond Harvey.


Classics On Tap - Spring Evening
Saturday, April 16, 2016 | 8pm
Bell's Eccentric Cafe

Including works by Scriabin, Smit, White and Dohnanyi, with a special performance on piano from Music Director Raymond Harvey.


Family Discovery

Beethoven Lives Upstairs
Sunday, October 4 , 2015 | 3 pm
Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, conductor

This world-famous production features a lively exchange of letters between young Christoph and his Uncle. Their subject is the "madman" who has moved into the upstairs apartment of Christoph's Vienna home. Listeners will be riveted by the music and life of Beethoven.


Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery
Sunday, January 31, 2016 | 3 pm
Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, conductor
Winner of the KSO Youth Soloist Competition

Vivaldi, Venice and violins: all three are celebrated in Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery. "All silent now, the magic spell is told. All silent now, our mystery tale unfolds..."

A gifted young orphan named Katarina is sent to study music at the great Pieta orphanage in seventeenth century Venice. There, she comes under the tutelage of the famous music director and composer Antonio Vivaldi and searches through the thrilling but mysterious atmosphere of Carnival and the Island of the Dead for clues to her past and a vanishing Stradivarius violin. A touching final scene unites Katarina with her Grandfather and together they take Vivaldi's music, its spirit and soul, out into the world.

This concert will open with an inspiring performance by the winner of the KSO Youth Soloist Competition.


Special Family Discovery add on:
Nutcracker (Ballet Arts Ensemble)
3 performances
Saturday, December 5, 2015 | 2pm & 7 pm
Sunday, December 6, 2015 | 2pm
Chenery Auditorium
Daniel Brier, conductor
Cathleen Huling, Artistic Director

Presented in partnership with Ballet Arts Ensemble, Cathleen Huling, Artistic Director.
Experience the magic and wonder of Tchaikovsky's beloved ballet in this fully staged production, featuring members of Ballet Arts Ensemble and thrilling guest professional dancers, assisted by a local cast of more than 100 children and adults and members of the Kalamazoo Children's Chorus.

Gilmore Collaborations

Gilmore Festival Finale
Saturday, May 14, 2016 | 8pm
Chenery Auditorium
Raymond Harvey, conductor
Rafal Blechaz, piano

Beethoven, Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19

Visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com for up-to-date information, details and schedules. Prices, artists, dates, time and program are subject to change without notice.

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

About the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year. The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artist-in-Residence program.

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