Symphony Concerts Introduce Birch Creek’s 2009 Season

An all-Dvorak program on Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 will finish the Birch Creek Symphony Orchestra‘s first week of performances in the Dutton Concert Barn, led by conductor Brian Groner. The concert program, entitled “Bohemian Rhapsody,” refers to the idioms and melodies of the folk music of Moravia and Bohemia, which Dvorak employed in his works.

On Friday, June 26, Birch Creek will offer a “Buy One, Get One at 1/2 Price” opportunity for those attending the first Dvorak concert. With the purchase of one adult ticket at full price, a second ticket can be purchased for 1/2 price. Those wishing to take advantage of this savings will have to present this article or the Birch Creek ad in the Peninsula Pulse when purchasing their tickets.

On Monday, June 29, at 8 pm, “In a Different Light” will feature Birch Creek’s symphony faculty members in chamber ensembles of varying sizes. A brass ensemble, coordinated by trombonist John Mindeman, will perform music by Clarke. Pianist Jodie DeSalvo and harpist Faye Seeman will join forces again in a work by Carlos Salzedo. Shannon Finney has coordinated the small woodwind ensemble’s performance of La Cheminee du Roi Rene (The Chimney of King Rene) by Darius Milhaud. The strings, under the coordination of Betty Lewis, will be performing movements from Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony.

On Thursday and Friday, July 2 and 3, the Symphony will present “Scots Wha’ Hae’.” According to Scottish history, “Scots Wha’ Hae’” (Scots Who Have) is a patriotic song of Scotland, which served for a long time as an unofficial national anthem of the country. Robert Hanford, Concertmaster of the Lyric Opera and Birch Creek’s Concertmaster, will be the featured faculty soloist.

Birch Creek is located three miles east of Egg Harbor on County Road E, and all concerts begin at 8 pm. Ticket prices are $29 for adults, $10 for concertgoers ages 12 through 20 (as well as students with valid student IDs) and $6 for children under 12.

For more information, call 920.868.3763 or visit http://www.birchcreek.org.