The Valley Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the 2021-22 concert season. After more than a year without full orchestra performances, the VSO will return to the McAllen Performing Arts Center for its 70th anniversary with a five-concert subscription series and other special events, all under the direction of Maestro Peter Dabrowksi.
The masterworks concert season begins on November 12 with the presentation of Antonin Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, also known as the “New World Symphony.” Dvořák wrote the work to herald the coming of a new era – a most appropriate selection for the beginning of this season. On December 10, the VSO will present the annual holiday tradition “A Touch of Frost,” with the return of the Symphony Chorale under the direction of Dr. Sean Taylor. On February 25, “Dances of the Americas” will showcase dance music from across North and South America, featuring selections by Leonard Bernstein, Astor Piazzolla, and Richard Rodgers. The March 25 concert will be a 70th anniversary celebration, as the VSO welcomes returning soloist Daniel Saenz, a lauded cellist who began his music career with the Symphony and now teaches and performs across the country. Finally, the VSO will present the music of Star Wars in an April 29 season finale concert event.
In addition to the masterworks season, the Symphony will present a pre-season chamber performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings in E-flat major. Concertmaster Geoffrey Wong will lead the ensemble of eight musicians in this intimate 40-minute concert experience, taking place on October 14 , 2021. The concert will be at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, and just 200 seats will be sold. This event is separate from the subscription season, and tickets will go on sale in early September.
Returning subscribers may renew their season tickets through August 25, 2021. New subscriptions go on sale August 10, and can be purchased online at www.valleyorchestra.org or by calling the VSO’s office at (956) 661-1615. Single tickets for all concerts will go on sale in early September. Patrons can receive the latest information and sign up for the VSO’s email list at valleyorchestra.org, or by calling the VSO office Monday – Friday, 12 noon – 5:00 pm.
The Valley Symphony 2021-22 Season
NOVEMBER 12, 2021 FROM THE NEW WORLD
Hungarian Dance No. 6 –Brahms/Schmeling
Symphony No. 9 – Dvořák
DECEMBER 10, 2021
A TOUCH OF FROST
The annual VSO holiday tradition featuring seasonal music from The Nutcracker, Handel’s Messiah, and more. The VSO Chorale performs.
featuring violinist Lindsey Gamble and cellist Patrick Hopkins
FEBRUARY 25, 2022
DANCES OF THE AMERICAS
Carousel Waltz – Rodgers/Walker
Popurri Perez Prado – Prado/Toussaint
Prelude, Fugue, and Riffs – Bernstein
featuring clarinetist Melissa Vaughan
Libertango – Piazzolla/Kazik
and more
MARCH 25, 2022
70th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Capriccio Italien – Tchaikovsky
Cello Concerto No. 1 – Saint-Saëns
featuring cellist Daniel Saenz
Boléro – Ravel
APRIL 29, 2022
STAR WARS
Hungarian March from “The Damnation of Faust” – Berlioz
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini – Rachmaninov
featuring soloist Tanya Gabrielian
Star Wars – Williams