2 0 1 7 / 1 8 S E A S O N MAESTRO GRONER S Grand Finale FVSO 51ST SEASON OUR LEAD SPONSORS Resident Partner of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
FROM THE MAESTRO Welcome to the 51st season of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra! This season marks my final season as Music Director and Conductor of this fine orchestra and each program is filled with pieces which I sincerely want to share with the audience. All the soloists chosen are wonderful artists with whom I have worked before and they feel like part of my extended family. Before I auditioned for this orchestra, I did a good deal of research, asking many people in the region what they thought about the FVSO and the community which supported it. Fox Cities residents shared that this is a place that works hard to give their children a good musical education and that the community shows strong support for its orchestra. That convinced me to apply (with well over 100 of my colleagues) and I happily found that both things were (and are) true. Music changes lives. Whether you are a creator of the music, a listener or a supporter of the arts in general, it has a powerful impact on all of those involved. Maintaining a strong orchestra takes great effort, but orchestras are worth every bit of the energy it takes to sustain them to keep them alive and healthy. This community understands that, and as a result this orchestra will continue to nourish souls, inspire noble visions, and create a clearer sense of who we are and what we dream of being for a very long time to come. There are too many people I wish to thank for the truly memorable years I have spent as Music Director of this ensemble. I will make certain that I share my gratitude to them in person, but for now please allow me to say to each of you a humble thank you for allowing me to be part of this very special place. Thank you for allowing me to make music with this wonderful group of musicians who are now my colleagues and friends. BRIAN GRONER Music Director & Conductor
SEASON PACKAGE / CONCERT 1 SEASON PACKAGE / CONCERT 2 one November 18, 2017 European Tour Gioachino Rossini Semiramide: Overture Richard Wagner Tristan und Isolde, WWV90: Prelude & Liebestod (Love s Death) Special guest vocalist Katy Harth Serge Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Op. 25 Benjamin Britten Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a OPENING NIGHT October 7, 2017 Russian Masters Special guest Wen-Lei Gu Smith/Key Star-Spangled Banner Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Overture to Voyevoda, Op. 3, TH 1 Dmitry Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 77, A minor Modest Mussorgsky/arr. Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition Lawrence University graduate Katherine Harth joins us for Wagner s Tristan und Isolde. Her voice, like her persona, has great warmth and clarity, says Groner. The Classical Symphony by Prokofiev, according to Maestro Groner, is so Mozartian in clarity, so Prokofiev in its difficulty, and so delightful. The Four Sea Interludes, extracted from the opera Peter Grimes, closes out this magnificent musical tour. We start our season with the emotionally challenging and technically brilliant Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, played by Lawrence University s professor Wen-Lei Gu. This award-winning and internationally popular soloist is a great friend of Maestro Groner, and we are delighted to welcome her back to our stage. Her playing remains so elegant and so sophisticated, says Groner. It has been my distinct privilege to work with her on ten different occasions. We finish this all-russian program with Pictures at an Exhibition, selected to showcase how the orchestra has grown and to celebrate the musicians who made this growth possible. two
SEASON PACKAGE / CONCERT 3 three February 3, 2018 Modern American Legends Special guest Chris Brubeck Michael Daugherty Route 66 Chris Brubeck Fanfare to a Remarkable Friend Chris Brubeck Prague Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra John Adams The Chairman Dances; Foxtrot for Orchestra Aaron Copland Billy the Kid: Suite PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHANE COLBERT SEASON PACKAGE / CONCERT 4 March 3, 2018 Mardi Gras in New Orleans Special guest Byron Stripling C elebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras with a night of steamy New Orleans jazz! The good times roll with music from street parades in the French Quarter to late night jams in the city s famed clubs. Byron Stripling s engaging personality, and his infectious charm on and off the stage, makes him a returning favorite of our audience. I want to keep improving my ability to communicate musically to an audience, putting all of my influences and interests together while having the results be natural. There are always infinite possibilities in music. Byron Stripling From Daugherty to Copland, this concert highlights American composing legends. We are delighted to welcome back to our stage composer, musician, and true friend Chris Brubeck. His enthusiasm for life fills all that he writes. One of his great gifts is his ability to span multiple styles of music in his compositions. One of his greatest strengths is the way he truly values each of those diverse styles. Brian Groner, FVSO A composer with a real flair for lyrical melody a 21st Century Lenny Bernstein. John von Rhein, music critic for The Chicago Tribune four
SEASON PACKAGE / CONCERT 5 five Co-presented with PHOTOGRAPH BY SHERVIN LAINEZ GRAND FINALE May 2, 2018 Joshua Bell Hector Berlioz Roman Carnival Camille Saint-Saens Introduction & Rondo capriccioso Nigel Hess Ladies in Lavender Pablo de Sarasate Ziguenerweisen, Op. 20 (Gypsy Airs) Jean Sibelius Symphony No. 2, Op. 43, D major The Overture to Roman Carnival is the piece that ended Brian Groner s first program with our orchestra, and will start the final concert of his tenure. Maestro Groner also welcomes back to our stage the incredible, global talent Joshua Bell. Many years have passed since his first performance with our orchestra, and it is a great honor to have him return. Bell led the listener into a still place where time seemed to trail off. Bell seemed to be at one with the orchestra. Review of Bell with Los Angeles Philharmonic, October 2016
ADD ON PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY December 16 & 17, 2017 Tchaikovsky s The Nutcracker W atch in awe as talented local dancers tell this classic holiday tale, accompanied with live music by the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Appleton Boychoir. Tickets sold separately! Please visit or call the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office, (920) 730-3760. r e t s a m t r e c n o C SeriesJoin us at Riverview Gardens for our Concertmaster Series, showcasing our musicians performing music they love including complex chamber pieces. You will enjoy the warm, relaxed setting where we can all get closer to the music. ADD ON PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY Our 2017-18 Concertmaster series schedule will be released this summer. Look for details on our website at foxvalleysymphony.com. April 28, 2018 newvoices with the FVSO at Lawrence Chapel The music of John Rutter: Requiem and selected sacred anthems Tickets sold separately! Please call newvoices at (920) 832-9700 or visit newvoiceschoir.org
2017/18 5-CONCERT PACKAGE ORDER FORM Name(s) Address City State ZIP Phone Evening Email ( An email address will allow us to send you advance offers on all Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra tickets and invitations to special events.) Payment Method: Saturday, July 1, 2017 Pay by credit card: VISA MasterCard Discover AMEX Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tailgating encouraged! Optional payment plan (CREDIT CARD ONLY) B Card # rats, Beer & Beethoven is a FREE, familyfriendly, community event featuring a concert by the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and a huge fireworks celebration at Fox Cities Stadium. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2017. The first concert, held in July of 2015, drew more than 3,000 people, and we re going to knock it out of the park again this year! The popular music, fireworks, and free admission give this event mass appeal. Bring your friends and family to enjoy this spectacular event! 50% charged now and 50% charged the week of May 15, 2017 Exp. Date Security Code Name as it appears on card Signature Check enclosed. (Make payable to Fox Cities Peforming Arts Center) Order Today! Call or visit the P.A.C. Ticket Office 920.730.3760 400 W. College Ave. Appleton, WI
2017/18 5-CONCERT PACKAGE ORDER FORM SEASON AT A GLANCE For New Season Ticket Holders: Seating Preference: Best Available 5 CONCERT PACKAGE SEATING AREAS (choose one) SECTION A SECTION B SECTION C Your tax deductible contribution supports the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. Thank you! C B A ADA Grand Tier $264 $218 $143 No. of SUBSCRIPTIONS ORDER SUBTOTAL Dress Circle Rear Orchestra CONTRIBUTION GRAND TOTAL Front Orchestra TOTAL The Nutcracker can be purchased separately by visiting or calling the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office, (920) 730-3760. Tickets for newvoices with the FVSO can be purchased by calling newvoices at (920) 832-9700 or online at newvoiceschoir.org There are three pricing levels: Premium A, B and C sections, assigned to the three levels as follows. Section A: Orchestra D-U, Dress Circle A-C and Orchestra Right and Left Boxes Section B: Orchestra V-Z, Dress Circle D-F and Dress Right and Left Boxes Section C: Grand Tier A-F, Orchestra A-C and Grand Tier boxes ADA Seating: Available upon request Please mail your form to: FOX VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 111 West College Avenue, Suite 550 Appleton, WI 54911 AS A SEASON TICKET HOLDER, ENJOY THESE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS: SAVE on full season package Lock in your SEATS for the season First chance at RENEWING YOUR SEATS for the next season FREE premium parking Your choice of 2 VALET VOUCHERS or 2 DRINK TICKETS Special Pre- and Post-Concert ACTIVITIES 10% OFF additional ticket purchases Subscriber-only NEWSLETTER sent out each quarter Saturday July 1, 2017 Brats, Beer & Beethoven OPENING NIGHT October 7, 2017 Special guest Wen Lei Gu November 18, 2017 Special guest Katy Harth Tchaikovsky s Nutcracker Suite Dec. 16 & 17, 2017 ADD ON PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY February 3, 2018 Special guest Chris Brubeck March 3, 2018 Special guest Byron Stripling April 28, 2018 newvoices at the Chapel John Rutter: Requiem ADD ON PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY GRAND FINALE May 2, 2018 Joshua Bell
111 West College Avenue, Suite 550 Appleton, WI 54911 Guarantee Your Seats Receive Great Benefits Order Today! Call or visit the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office 920.730.3760 400 W College Ave., Appleton