News Release: Springfield Symphony’s 87th season commences with dance-inspired music

Springfield Symphony Orchestra
homecoming dance

NEWS RELEASE

Date:  September 3, 2021                                                                                                     Contact:  Lexi Locke

For Immediate Release                                                                                                       Phone:  417.864.6683

Photos Available Upon Request                                                                                           Cell:  417.860.9690

Fax:  417.864.8967

lexi@springfieldmosymphony.org

Springfield Symphony’s 87th season commences with dance-inspired music

The Springfield Symphony commences its 87th consecutive season with a musical collection of dances from around the world. The orchestra’s 2021-2022 season, Dance Mix, will continue its traditional nine-concert subscription series.  The classical concert, Homecoming Dance, will feature virtuoso violinist Rachel Lee Priday on Saturday, September 18th at 7:30 p.m. at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

In this new Symphony season, the Springfield Symphony embraces the universal language of dance as it’s expressed in its many styles and cultures through symphonic forms. “This season of dance-inspired music will be exciting, entertaining, sometimes familiar, and sometimes new,” said Music Director and Conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett. “I’m really thrilled to be playing a year of music by the most well-known classical composers and less-well-known diverse classical voices. Our opening concert, Homecoming Dance, is one thrilling piece after another. It’s like a musical fireworks show finale where every piece is dazzling and spectacular. I’m really looking forward to playing Stravinsky’s Firebird suite and Márquez’s Danzón No. 2. Both of which are thrilling and storytelling dance pieces and were played at my audition concert with the Springfield Symphony. It will be a little like homecoming for us to come back to those again.”

“Additionally, I can’t wait for our audiences to hear virtuoso violinist Rachel Lee Priday on her show-stopping numbers,” said Pickett. “Rachel Lee Priday is one of the most exciting virtuoso violinists of her generation.  She will wow you and leave you wanting more.” Masks will be mandatory for Springfield Symphony staff, patrons, and musicians in Hammons Hall for concerts and events  through October 2021. Single Tickets are $10 – $50 with discounts available for students and seniors. Single Tickets will be available at the Hammons Hall box office starting September 7, 2021 by calling (417) 836-7678 or visiting www.hammonshall.com. Per Springfield Symphony Board of Directors, masks will be mandatory for Springfield Symphony staff, patrons, and musicians in Hammons Hall for concerts and events through October 2021. Single Livestream access starts at $20 per household and livestream access is available for purchase at springfieldsymphony.uscreen.io/.

Join Pickett at our free monthly event, Behind the Baton, at Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts on Thursday, September 16th (525 S John Q Hammons Pkwy) or via LIVE on the Springfield Symphony Orchestra Facebook page. Take the opportunity to meet conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett and soloist Rachel Lee Priday while hearing about the music that will be performed at the September 18th concert.  The meet & greet begins at 5:15 p.m. and the program will begin at 5:45 p.m. The Facebook Live event takes place at 5:45 p.m. on the Thursday before each Springfield Symphony classical concert.

Pickett is available for any interviews or questions.  Please feel free to email him at kwpickett@gmail.com or call at (417) 837-9422.  The concert is being sponsored by Presenting Season Sponsor Reliable Superstore, Altec Computers, Digital Lunchbox, and Guest Artist Sponsor William T. White. For information on upcoming Springfield Symphony concert and events, visit www.springfieldmosymphony.org/.

The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and an Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional funding for all Springfield Symphony Orchestra programming is provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.  For more information, visit www.springfieldmosymphony.org or www.facebook.com/springfieldsymphony.

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