News and Notes
Symphony Launches New Series Symphony Unbound First Concert to Feature Up and Coming Duo Mandolin Orange
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 1, 2018) – The Winston-Salem Symphony is launching Symphony Unbound, a new music series that is a break from the traditions and norms of classical music. The Winston-Salem Symphony is taking music out of the concert hall and into the community while joining forces with some of hottest up-and-coming acts in various genres. The first installment will feature members of the Winston-Salem Symphony alongside Chapel Hill’s Mandolin Orange in Winston-Salem’s new, cutting-edge music venue, The Ramkat. Symphony Unbound: Mandolin Orange will take place on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 8 p.m.
John R. Beck, Principal Percussionist, named Ford Musician Award winner by League of American Orchestras
The Winston-Salem Symphony’s Principal Percussionist, John R. Beck, is one of just five orchestra musicians from across the U.S. who will receive Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service from the League of American Orchestras at the League’s 73rd National Conference in Chicago, June 13-15, 2018. Recognizing the transformative power of music, the Awards honor those in the orchestra field who employ music for the benefit of the greater community.
Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Orchestras to Perform Free Spring Finale Concert
The Winston-Salem Symphony’s Youth Orchestras Program will hold its final concert of the 2017–2018 Season on Monday, May 21 at 7 p.m. The Premiere Strings, led by Dr. Ryane Dunnagan, the Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, led by Margaret Rehder, and the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony, under the baton of Maestra Jessica Morel, will perform at the Stevens Center of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts at 405 West Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem. The concert is free and open to the public.
Maestro Robert Moody’s Final Concerts with the Winston-Salem Symphony Maestro’s Farewell: Mahler Symphony No. 2
Music Director Maestro Robert Moody’s final moments on the podium with the Winston-Salem Symphony will be Classics Series concerts entitled “Maestro’s Farewell: Mahler Symphony No. 2.” The concerts will take place Saturday, May 19, Sunday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The Symphony, along with guest artists Christina Pier, Soprano; Cat Zachary, Soprano; and Elizabeth Bishop, Mezzo-Soprano as well as the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale, Dr. Christopher Gilliam, director, will perform the Final Trio and Duet from Act III of Der Rosenkavalier, by Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 in C minor (Resurrection).
Maestro Moody to Conduct His Final Plugged-In Pops Concert: Simply Three
Maestro Robert Moody’s farewell Plugged-In Pops concert with the Winston-Salem Symphony features YouTube sensation Simply Three. This dynamic string trio comprised of Glen McDaniel (violin), Nick Villalobos (bass), and Zack Clark (cello) presents high-octane performances spanning from classical music and Cole Porter to their own compositions and more. Simply Three will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem Symphony Presents Discovery Concert for Kids The Great Outdoors: An Earth Day Celebration
The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, will present a Discovery Concerts for Kids concert entitled The Great Outdoors: An Earth Day Celebration. Under the baton of Maestra Jessica Morel, the Winston-Salem Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, the concert will take place Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium, located at 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. Pre-concert activities will begin at 2 p.m.
Winston-Salem Symphony to Present Plugged-In Pops Concert The Music of David Bowie
The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, joined by the Jeans ‘n Classics Band featuring singer Jean Meilleur, will present an evening honoring the music of David Bowie on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Winston-Salem Symphony Takes on the Recorder Challenge Encourages All to Help Bring the Joy of Music to Children in Developing Countrie
In celebration of the 2018 Music in our Schools Month theme, Music Connects Us, the Winston-Salem Symphony is taking on the Recorder Challenge to benefit the nonprofit organization Recorders Without Borders—and is encouraging its patrons, musicians, partner organizations, and local schools to do the same.
Winston-Salem Symphony Presents A Concert for Peace: Music of Bernstein and Jenkins
The Winston-Salem Symphony and Music Director Robert Moody will present Classics Series concerts entitled “A Concert for Peace: Music of Bernstein and Jenkins” on Sunday, March 11 and Tuesday, March 13, 2018. The Symphony along with the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale, Dr. Christopher Gilliam, director, will perform Leonard Bernstein’s Symphony No. 1 (Jeremiah) and The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Foley Davis will perform with the Symphony for both pieces.
Winston-Salem Symphony Announces Five Finalists for Conductor Search Each Finalist Will Conduct a Classic Series During 2018–2019 Season
The Winston-Salem Symphony announced the five finalists for its conductor search as well as its 2018–2019 season on Wednesday, January 31. As part of the upcoming season, the finalists for the Symphony’s Music Director position will each conduct a pair of Classics Series concerts, which will give the Symphony musicians, staff, board, and the community a chance to see the candidates in action. In addition, there will be opportunities to interact with the finalists. Throughout the 2018–2019 season, the community will play a key role in helping the Symphony decide who ultimately assumes the baton to lead the Winston-Salem Symphony into the future.
Winston-Salem Symphony to Present the Steep Canyon Rangers
The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, will present a Plugged-in Pops! concert featuring North Carolina’s own Steep Canyon Rangers, who will join the Symphony for an evening of bluegrass and more on Saturday, February 10, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Winston-Salem Symphony Presents Discovery Concert for Kids Star Wars 2.0: The Orchestra Strikes Back!
The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, will present a Discovery Concerts for Kids concert entitled Star Wars 2.0. Under the baton of Maestra Jessica Morel, the Winston-Salem Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, the concert will take place Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium, located at 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. Pre-concert activities will begin at 2 p.m.
Winston-Salem Symphony Presents a Free Concert for Community February 3
The Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony will present a Concert for Community on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 3 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public and will take place at Wait Chapel on the Wake Forest University campus. Although the concert is free, please visit the Symphony website at WSsymphony.org to reserve your ticket.
AT&T North Carolina Recognized as New Corporate Partner of the Winston-Salem Symphony
AT&T North Carolina has been recognized as a new Corporate Partner in support of the Symphony’s dedication to artistic excellence and music education for the Winston-Salem community. The $1,000 gift is in recognition of the Symphony’s continued commitment to providing world-class live music performances to the Piedmont Triad area.
Winston-Salem Symphony Presents “Mozart & Shostakovich” Featuring Pianist Orion Weiss
The Winston-Salem Symphony and Music Director Robert Moody will present Classics Series concerts entitled “Mozart & Shostakovich” on Saturday, January 6; Sunday, January 7; and Tuesday, January 9, 2018. The Symphony will perform the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro (Le nozze di Figaro), K. 492 and Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, K. 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus (W.A.) Mozart with guest pianist Orion Weiss. The concert will conclude with Symphony No. 10 in E minor, op. 93 by Dmitri Shostakovich.
2017–2018 to be Robert Moody’s Last Season with Winston-Salem Symphony
Winston-Salem Symphony Classics Concerts
Present "Music in the New World"
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (DECEMBER 19, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, will present a classics concert series on Saturday, January 7; Sunday, January 8; and Tuesday, January 10. The concerts will feature Jean Sibelius’ towering Symphony No. 5, op. 82, E-flat Major; a dynamic contemporary piece entitled Violet Bond: Concerto for Electric Guitar, by composer and electric guitar soloist D. J. Sparr; and Antonín Dvořák’s beloved Symphony No. 9, B. 178, in E minor (From the New World).
Handel’s Messiah, Winston-Salem Symphony’s Annual Holiday Classic Set for December 13 and 14
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (November 17, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Symphony’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah will take place on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14. Widely regarded as music’s most powerful message of faith, this is the Symphony’s tenth year performing what has become a Triad holiday favorite.
Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Symphony, Youth Philharmonic, and Premiere Strings Present Free Fall Extravaganza Concert
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (NOVEMBER 9, 2016) –The Winston-Salem Symphony Youth Orchestras—comprised of the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony, Youth Philharmonic, and Premiere Strings—will perform a free concert on Monday, November 14, 2016 at 7 p.m.
Winston-Salem Symphony Classics Concerts to Feature Schubert and Mozart
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (OCTOBER 27, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody Music Director, will present concerts featuring Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, D. 759, B minor (Unfinished) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, K. 551, C Major (Jupiter) on Sunday, November 13, and Tuesday, November 15.
Winston-Salem Symphony Opens 2016-2017 Discovery Concert for Kids Series with Salute to Superheroes
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (October 26, 2016) – The Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody, Music Director, will open the 2016-2017 Discovery Concerts for Kids series with a concert entitled Salute to Superheroes. This performance marks the debut of Maestra Jessica Morel, the Winston-Salem Symphony’s new Assistant Conductor.
