La Feria News

Valley Symphony Performs in McAllen

Chorale Joins the Orchestra for an Exciting Evening

The Valley Symphony Chorale joined forces with the Valley Symphony Orchestra at McAllen’s Convention Center to produce an exciting and exhilarating evening for Valley music lovers. The members of the chorale and the orchestra knew they had reached the hearts of their audience when the singers and musicians were honored with a long-lasting standing ovation.

Valley Symphony Orchestra and VSO Chorale provide an unforgettable evening

Valley Symphony Orchestra and VSO Chorale provide an unforgettable evening

During his twelve years as UTPA Musical Director and VSO Conductor, Maestro Peter Dabrowski has designed outstanding symphonic programs, often including featured appearances by the Valley Symphony Chorale under the direction of Christopher Munn.

Both Maestro Dabrowski and Conductor Christopher Munn bring to Valley audiences a level of expertise and professionalism that is worthy of any orchestra in the country. Both have been recognized as outstanding university professors and conductors. Both are award-winning musicians and have been guest conductors with famous symphonies in this country and overseas. The Valley is fortunate to have had men of this caliber to enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens. During the performance, Conductor Munn announced to the audience his retirement after 27 years,. but said the chorale which he developed will go on under new leadership.

Maestro Peter Dabrowski welcomes McAllen audience

Maestro Peter Dabrowski welcomes McAllen audience

After an opening orchestral presentation of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Dabrowski introduced the featured evening performance by the VSO Chorale. It was also by Leonard Bernstein. It was an unforgettable rendering of the composer’s interpretation of the Chichester Psalms. It was a departure for Bernstein, who was known as a writer of Broadway and symphonic music. Chichester Psalms was sung entirely in flowing, beautiful Hebrew from Biblical texts. A resounding triumph for the chorale and orchestra.

The program continued with music from the Arabian Nights. Dabrowski conducted the orchestra in Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Sheherazade Opus 35. Truly, an evening to be remembered…

The final performance by the Valley Symphony is programmed for Thursday, April 4, 2013 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.. It will feature the Rosamunde Overture by Schubert, Bizet’s Carmen Suites, and the Piano Concerto No. 2, op 18.in C minor by Rachmaninov. Piano virtuoso Adam Wodnicki is the solist for that performance.

Inquiries about this and future performances can be directed to (956) 661-1615 or visit VSO at valleyorchestra.org

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