Season Opening Concert

Saturday, September 20th, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Indiana

Byron Plexico, Violin

J. S. Bach - Violin Concerto No. 2 in E Major

Beethoven - Symphony No. 5

This season marks not only the 20th Anniversary of Rick Sowers as ASO Music Director, but also the 20th Anniversary of ASO's Concertmaster, Byron Plexico, as a member of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. To celebrate this grand occasion, Mr. Plexico will be the featured soloist for J. S. Bach's Second Violin Concerto. One of the most well known and beloved of all orchestral masterworks, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony will conclude the evening's festivities.

Halloween Concert

Saturday, November 1st, 2008 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Indiana

Orchestra & Conductor in costume!

The ASO Halloween Concert is a fun event for the entire family! The orchestra and conductor will dress in their best costumes, and the kids will be invited to participate in the traditional Costume Parade. Prizes will be given for cutest, scariest, and most original costumes. Halloween music will include Weber's Phantom of the Opera, Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, a Harry Potter medley, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Kabalevsky's Gallop.

Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 13th, 2008 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Indiana

Lori Mechem, Jazz Pianist & combo!

Anderson native and well known Jazz Pianist, Lori Mechem and her combo will bring a new sizzle to the traditional ASO Holiday Concert. Seasonal selections will be played by Lori and combo alone and with the orchestra, and the "Duke's" version of Tchaikowsky's Nutcracker Suite will be featured. The audience will delight in the familiar "Nutcracker" tunes in a fresh and jazzy style that is so Ellington. The traditional sing-along for orchestra and audience as well as more season favorites will also be included.

Winter Classic Concert

Saturday, February 7th, 2009 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Indiana

Emily Stanek, Flute

Christopher Rouse - Flute Concerto

Respighi - Pines of Rome

We are very pleased to have Emily Stanek as our guest flutist for this evening's concert. Ms. Stanek is a highly regarded soloist in the region, and has held positions in several orchestras including the principal position in the Akron Symphony Orchestra. She will be featured on a relatively new work by the American composer, Christopher Rouse. The five-movement work includes simple melodic elaborations which evoke the traditions of Celtic, especially Irish, folk music. Considered one of the masterpieces of symphonic literature for orchestra, Italian composer, Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome will bring a thrilling and powerful conclusion to this night's concert. Each of four movements depicts a location of pine trees around the city of Rome during different parts of the day. The final movement, "The Pines of the Appian Way" depicts legions of Roman soldiers making a triumphant entry to the city - all with a glorious crescendo and antiphonal brass throughout the hall.

Season Finale

Saturday, April 25th, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Indiana

The Mambo Kings

We welcome the critically acclaimed Mambo Kings for an evening of Afro-Cuban rhythms and jazz improvisation. The perfect combination of Latin sounds, jazz styling and rock and roll, the group has earned a reputation for taking the symphonic stage by storm. The ASO and the Mambo Kings are a winning combination—sure to start feet tapping and shoulders swaying. The Mambo Kings will take the stage to unleash their innovative arrangements of "Blue Mambo a la Turk," "Oye Como Va," "Tres Lindas Cubanas" and several other well-known songs.