The Valley Symphony Orchestra will present three fall concerts online and broadcast on television beginning October 23 at 7:00 pm. Though the Symphony is unable to hold in-person performances due to public health risks associated with Covid-19, Maestro Peter Dabrowski has planned a series of chamber concerts that will be specially produced and presented for all to enjoy, thanks to donor and sponsor support.
“We need music now more than ever,” said Maestro Dabrowski, music director and conductor of the Valley Symphony Orchestra for the last 20 years. “Listening to beautiful live music is a way for us to both mourn and celebrate, to remember what it means to be human. I cannot imagine a more necessary time for music than right now for the Valley.”
All concerts will be premiered live on Facebook on Friday nights followed by an encore broadcast on KRGV – Channel 5 on Sunday mornings. The concerts will be available to all, and those who wish to support the performances can make a donation or sponsor a musician. Major fall season sponsors include Mrs. Wanda Boush, Drs. Tawhid and Mihaela Shuaib, Mrs. Trudie Elmore Abbott, Kenneth and Carolyn Landrum, Clark Chevrolet, and Frost Bank.
“These digital fall concerts are our exciting invention in the face of obstacles we could not accept,” said Executive Director Katy Coy. “Instead of stepping away, or waiting it out, our leadership has decided that we should perform for everyone. We’re doubling down on making music and we couldn’t be more proud of creating opportunities for artists and truly unique performances for the Valley.”
The October 23 concert will feature the VSO piano quintet performing Erno Dohnányi’s piano quintet no. 1 in C minor. Dohnányi, often referred to as “the greatest composer you’ve never heard” stood in the shadow of great classical composers such as Brahms and Liszt, and wrote this piece when he was just 17 years old. The work features two violins, piano, cello, and viola and is performed in four movements, or sections. Described as catchy and melodic, its full sounds remind the listener of a performance by a full orchestra.
The VSO string quintet consists of Geoffrey Wong, VSO Concertmaster (violin), Lindsey Gamble (violin), VSO Assistant Concertmaster, Juan Pablo Andrade (piano), Jennifer Miller (viola), and Benjamin Ponder (cello). The quintet will perform on October 23 at 7:00 pm on Facebook and on October 25 at 11 am on KRGV – Channel 5. The fall concert series continues with Melody and Rhythm on November 20 and A Touch of Frost on December 18.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more, join the VSO’s mailing list here [hotlink] or call the VSO at (956) 661-1615.
The Valley Symphony Orchestra
Fall 2020 Concert Season
- The Symphony Strings
Featuring the VSO Piano Quintet
Premieres on Facebook Oct. 23 at 7pm
Broadcast on KRGV – Channel 5 Oct. 25 at 11am - Melody and Rhythm
Featuring the VSO Woodwinds and Percussion
Premieres on Facebook Nov. 20 at 7pm
Broadcast on KRGV – Channel 5 Nov. 22 at 11am - A Touch of Frost
Featuring the VSO Holiday Brass and Harp
Premieres on Facebook Dec. 18 at 7pm
Broadcast on KRGV – Channel 5 Dec. 20 at 11am