2009-2010 Season Opening Concert

It's finally here! The 2009-2010 season opening concert with the Capital Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. It's hard to believe that months of preparation and hard work is finally culminating in our first event of the year. And there's no better way to celebrate this kickoff concert than with a tribute to the men and women who serve our country through their tireless efforts and dedication as members of our Armed Services. Our first concert features a collage of their anthems as well as a moving arrangement of both the Star-Spangled Banner and The Battle Hymn of the Republic. We follow the three opening numbers, which feature the chorus, with a haunting composition by American composer George Walker and the wildly fabulous "American Tribute" by Morton Gould. One takes you on an inward journey of contemplation and thoughtful reflection and the other brings you to your feet as a proud citizen of country that allows us the freedom to pursue our dreams and passions. We open the intermission break with one of my favorite pieces in the 20th century repertoire by one of the most beloved and talented American composers, Aaron Coplands "Fanfare for the Common Man". This piece, featuring a brass choir, embodies the pursuit of the American dream by every citizen, regardless of race, gender, beliefs or the like. We close the evening with Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 which he was commissioned to write while teaching in America as a composition that would spark the creation of the "American Sound". What we end up with is one of the most beloved symphonies in the entire orchestral repertoire. The second movement, featuring a beatiful English Horn solo, takes us on a fabulous journey across the American plains and shows us the caloused hands of the men and women who carved out this country through all of their pain and sorrow and joy and success. The fourth movement is a whirlwhind of activity that, for me, embodies the American spirit. It has an urgency to it that feels like it must accomplish something. Even when it attempts to slow down and hush itself it still has this rushing movement that creates in it a drive and motion for completion of something beyond itself, some form of satisfaction in the achievement of a goal or dream.
I hope you enjoy this evening that we will share together. And if you missed it, please make it the only event you miss with us because together we have too much fun for you to miss out on these inspiring moments.

Zealous Aniticipation,

Seth Winterhalter