ANDERSON, Ind. —
Getting patrons in the proper mood for Valentine’s Day, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra delighted its audience with both classical and popular melodies of love on Saturday night. From Tchaikovsky to the Beatles, the professional musicians performed tales of love, tragedy and romance.
“Collaborating with highly skilled professional musicians is a wonderful thing,” said Rick Sowers, music director and conductor of ASO for 23 years. “There is so much incredible music – some written 100 years ago and some written recently – that is beautifully expressive. It is a privilege to collaborate and share what we do with the patrons.”
ASO has been sharing orchestra music for 43 years. Originally founded through Anderson University and performing on the stage of Reardon Auditorium, the organization became its own entity in 1978. Once the Paramount restoration was completed, performances were moved to the iconic theater.
“One of the things I have observed is how much this community values the Anderson Symphony Orchestra as an important cultural aspect of this area,” said Dana Stone, executive director, who previously worked at a St. Louis opera company. “Larger cities tend to take their orchestras for granted, but here we are supported greatly.”
Each season includes five subscription concerts, a complimentary concert for area fifth-graders (offered as a field trip through the schools) and a Fourth of July concert. Sowers suggests music and concert themes to a program committee authorized by a board of directors.
The next concert is exciting orchestra members and patrons alike. George Daugherty, a Madison County native who has presented “Bugs Bunny at the Symphony” around the world, is bringing his topflight production to ASO on April 21 and 22.
“He is even donating the Warner Brothers performance rights for this special event,” said Stone.
“This will be a very special event,” agreed Sowers, who has been a professor at Anderson University for 28 years. “This is a very famous production and will be a very popular event. We are even adding a second performance and hope to sell out both of them.”
But no matter which music is chosen, the goal of the musicians is to connect with the audience.
“This orchestra is a wonderful opportunity for us to serve the community,” said Sowers who is accomplished at singing and playing the French horn, piano and organ. “We get to provide the community with beautiful music and hope to enrich people’s lives while we are at it.”
Getting Together features clubs, organizations and social groups from the area each Monday in The Herald Bulletin.
Local News
Related Photos
-
The Anderson Symphony Orchestra performs its Valentine's Day concert at the Paramount Theatre in Anderson on Saturday. "Love, Tragedy and Romance" featured Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" ballet. With more than 50 musicians on stage, there was no room for dancers, so the symphony provided subtitles describing the action in each of the seven movements.
Discussion
Getting Together: Anderson Symphony Orchestra seeks musical connections
Two 'Bugs Bunny at the Symphony' performances in April
- Local News
-
-
Boy Scouts honor veterans
For those who attended a Boy Scout Memorial Day ceremony Monday afternoon, it was about honoring US servicemen and women for their sacrifices.
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Arrest log: May 29
The following arrest log appears in the Tuesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
June is Men's Health Month
According to Dr. David Gremillon from Men’s Health Network, “there is a silent health crisis in America….it’s that fact, on average, American men live sicker and die younger than American women.”
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
