Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra

Concert #1

Pre-Carnegie Hall Concert In Memory of Raymond Dombrowski
October 10, 2009 at 7:30PM | Bel Air High School

Wojciech Kilar– Polonez (Polonaise) from the film “Pan Tadeusz” Conductor: Janusz Sporek
Frédéric Chopin – Five Mazurkas, Op. 7 (arr. Alexander Rapoport)
Frédéric Chopin – Fantasia on Polish Airs in A Major, Op. 13 Piano: Jacek Zganiacz
Wojciech Kilar – Orawa
Stanislaw Moryto – Stabat Mater Soprano: Anna Kostrzynska Conductor: Monika Wolinska; Members of the Deer Creek Chorale, the Harford Choral Society and Cor Cymraeg Rehoboth, plus the Paderewski Choir from Brooklyn, NY joined the SSO on stage for this powerful performance of the Stabat Mater

Concert #2

A Merry Cello Christmas!
December 5, 2009 at 7:30PM | Bel Air High School

Antonio Vivaldi – Concerto for Two Cellos and Orchestra in G Minor Cellos: Laura Ruth and Alexis Lee
Franz Josef Haydn – Cello Concerto in C Major; Cello: Alexis Lee
arr. Donald Raff – Premiere: Spirituals for Christmas
George Whitefield Chadwick – Noel from “Symphonic Sketches”
arr. Sheldon Bair – Premiere: A Christmas Sing-a-Long

Concert #3

Free Haiti Benefit Chamber Concert
February 20, 2010 at 8:00PM | St. Matthew Lutheran Church

The Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra Chamber Ensemble
Guest artists – Linda Molina, Violin; Devonna Rowe, Soprano;
Stacey Mastrian, Soprano; Emma Zyriek, Soprano

Music: Bach – Brandenburg Concerto No. 4
Beethoven – Romance in F Major for violin and orchestra
Mozart – Parto, Parto from “La Clemenza di Tito”
Still – Songs
Zyriek – I Choose the Mountain
Burns – Remembrance
Schubert – Salve Reginaly

Concert #4

American Music – This concert recorded by Harford Cable Network
March 6, 2010 at 7:30PM | Bel Air High School

John Philip Sousa – The Fairest of the Fair
William Grant Still – Symphony No. 1 “Afro-American Symphony”
Patrick Burns – Remembrance
Benny Russell – The Little Gift from “The Darfur Chronicles”; Conductor: Brian Folus
Tracey Rush – Spirit of Freedom
Sheldon Bair – Variations on “Be Thou My Vision”
Stacey Zyriek – I Choose the Mountain; Soprano: Emma Zyriek

Concert #5

Free Benefit Chamber Concert
March 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm | St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Bair – Rhapsody of Hope
Chadwick – Serenade for Strings (Tempo di Minuetto movement)
arr. Raff – For Judi
Other Chamber Works TBA
arr. Phillips—Led Zeppelin Medley

Concert #6

From the British Isles
May 15, 2010 at 7:30PM | Bel Air High School

Percy Grainger – Irish Tune from County Derry
Sir Malcolm Arnold – Oboe Concerto Oboe: Patrick Carter
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Symphony No. 2 – “A London Symphony”

Saturday evening on 15 May 2010 found the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra presenting their final concert of the subscription season at the Bel Air High School Auditorium. The concert opened with a particularly moving rendition of “Danny Boy” by Percy Grainger, his Irish Tune from County Derry. The Granger work was followed by guest soloist and Harford County native Patrick Carter and the orchestra playing Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Oboe Concerto. Carter is an alumnus of the Harford and Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestras and graduated this spring from the University of Michigan School of Music. His outstanding performance was well received as both the audience and orchestra were delighted to have him perform again in Harford County.

The concert concluded with Ralph Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 2, A London Symphony. This highly melodic work transported the audience through a musical day in London, beginning with a majestic sunrise progressing to the hustle and bustle of the workday, taking us on an evening stroll along the Thames, and finally culminating with the chimes of Big Ben as night descends. Maestro Bair proved exceptional as he lead the orchestra through this lyrical work to the enjoyment to all.

Of special note for the evening was the Harford County High School students who joined the Orchestra for this, our annual side-by-side concert. The SSO is one of the few Maryland orchestra’s that continues the tradition of side-by-side concerts open to the general public. Highly motivated and talented high school students performed next to orchestra mentors during the entire concert. Jim Boord, the Director of the Harford County Public Schools Music Program addressed the audience after intermission, thanking the students who performed, and informing the audience that Harford County has been ranked in the top one hundred high schools in the country for its music education program. The students certainly proved him correct!

Concert #7

Free Summer Outdoor Concert
June 6, 2010 at 7:00PM | Humbert Memorial Band Shell

Kickoff the summer and the 43rd annual Bel Air Summer Concert Series. The Community Foundation of Harford County is proud to honor Bill Humbert’s legacy through the William A. Humbert Memorial Scholarship Fund. This year’s scholarship recipient, Elizabeth Stefan, is a graduate of Fallston High School and the Eastman School of Music. She is currently pursuing graduate studies in viola performance at the New England Conservatory of Music.