The ONU Symphony will perform at 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Freed Center. Tickets will be available at the door.
In support of Black History Month, the Symphony will present William Grant Still's Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American Symphony). This piece is monumental, as Still was the first African-American to compose a symphony and an opera, as well as to conduct a leading American orchestra. Still incorporates blues and African-American styles, while melding jazz and traditional orchestral techniques.
Also on the program is The Passion of John Brown by Guest Composer Jesse Ayers. Ayers was the winner of the inaugural American Prize for Orchestral Composition in 2011, and was named an "Honored Artist" of the American Prize in 2014. Since 1997, Ayers has served on the music faculty of Malone University in Ohio. The composer will attend this concert.
The program also features guest violinist Stanislav Pronin on the Brahms Violin Concerto. Pronin was born in Moscow, Russia and began his violin studies upon his immigration to Israel at the age of 8. Stanislav’s professional career began following his solo debut in Israel at the age of 10. He has performed as soloist and chamber musician at many festivals and venues.
