The sounds of America give us a shared sense of place, from Ellington’s Giggling Rapids to Copland’s Simple Gifts, and even our own Blue Ridge Spirit. Join the RSO in our season finale, featuring our own Jeff Midkiff and beautiful works of some of America’s greatest composers.

EPSG:4326

Portraits of America

Jefferson Center

Acclaimed as an “outstanding ensemble…cohesive yet full of temperament” (The New York Times), the Verona Quartet has firmly established itself amongst the most distinguished ensembles on the chamber music scene today. The group’s singular sense of purpose earned them Chamber Music America’s coveted 2020 Cleveland Quartet Award and a reputation for its “bold interpretive strength, robust characterization and commanding resonance” (Calgary Herald). The Quartet serves on the faculty of the Oberlin College and Conservatory as the Quartet-in-Residence. As committed advocates of diverse programming, the Verona Quartet curated the UpClose Chamber Music Series in North Carolina, electrifying audiences with their “sensational, powerhouse performance[s]” (Classical Voice America).   

Verona Quartet: Stomp at Center for the Arts

Center for the Arts

### Event Description: Jon Kimura Parker Plays Gershwin - Minnesota Orchestra

#### Event Overview:
Celebrate the New Year with an extraordinary musical experience as Jon Kimura Parker joins the Minnesota Orchestra to perform the timeless works of George Gershwin. This special event will take place at Orchestra Hall, offering a blend of classical and jazz music that promises to captivate audiences.

#### Date & Time:
- **Tuesday, December 31, 2024**
- **Wednesday, January 1, 2025**
- **Duration:** 2 hours, including intermission

#### Venue:
- **Location:** Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

#### Program:
- **ELLINGTON:** Three Black Kings
- **TRADITIONAL/Bonds:** He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
- **GERSHWIN:** Songs to be announced
- **ANTHEIL:** A Jazz Symphony
- **GERSHWIN:** Rhapsody in Blue

#### Artists:
- **Minnesota Orchestra**
- **Conductor:** William Eddins
- **Piano:** Jon Kimura Parker

#### Special Features:
- **New Year’s Eve Ticket Perks:** Includes vintage jazz from Belle Amour and a complimentary champagne toast.
- **Pre-concert Activities:** Engage in various activities before the concert begins.
- **Accessibility Services:** Armless & bariatric chairs, assistive listening devices, large-print programs, noise-canceling headphones, service animals, and wheelchair & accessible seating are available upon request.

#### Additional Information:
- **Tickets:** Available now as part of a package. Save up to 15% and receive subscriber perks when you buy 3 or more concerts. Individual tickets go on sale July 29.
- **Plan Your Visit:** Directions, parking information, and helpful tips are available to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
- **Mobile App:** Download the MinnOrch App to pre-order intermission drinks, scan your ticket for entry, and access exclusive deals.

#### Presented By:
- **Ameriprise Financial**

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and celebration as we ring in the New Year with the iconic sounds of Gershwin, performed by the renowned Jon Kimura Parker and the Minnesota Orchestra.

Jon Kimura Parker Plays Gershwin

Minnesota Orchestra

Life, liberty and big melodies. Dvořák was bowled over by the USA, and his New World Symphony is a truly epic song of nostalgia for the old world and hope for the new (and that’s before we even mention the Hovis® ad). Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto really sings too – especially when played by RSNO Artist in Residence Randall Goosby. Plus, if you’ve never heard Duke Ellington’s jazz version of The Nutcracker, you’re in for a treat!

RSNO Season 24-25: Dvořák’s New World Symphony

Usher Hall

Join us for a spectacular evening of music under the stars at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater in Vail, Colorado, as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, led by the esteemed conductor Fabio Luisi, presents "AMERICAN BROADWAY SONGBOOK Bravo Vail." This unforgettable performance is set for Friday, June 28, 2024, at 6pm, and promises to be a celebration of Broadway classics that have shaped America's musical landscape.

The evening will feature the incredible talents of soprano Karen Slack and tenor Issachah Savage, bringing to life favorites from the American canon, including works by Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Ellington, and more. The program not only highlights songs written for the Broadway stage but also includes orchestral works from the 1930s and ’40s by African-American composers such as Duke Ellington, William Dawson, and James P. Johnson, envisaged for concert presentation.

Program Highlights include:
- RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN's "Oh What a Beautiful Morning" from Oklahoma
- GERSHWIN's "My Man's Gone Now" from Porgy and Bess
- ORNADEL's "If I Ruled the World" from Pickwick
- GERSHWIN's "The Man I Love" from Strike Up The Band
- ELLINGTON's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
- GERSHWIN's "It Ain't Necessarily So" from Porgy and Bess
- RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN's "People Will Say We're in Love" from Oklahoma
- STYNE's Overture to Gypsy
- DAWSON's Movement II "Hope in the Night" from Negro Folk Symphony
- JOHNSON's "Drums A Symphonic Poem"

For an enhanced experience, Bravo Vail is pleased to offer the lawn screen experience for this evening's concert, allowing more guests to enjoy the performance in a unique and comfortable setting.

Tickets are available now for this must-see event. Don't miss your chance to be part of a night that celebrates the rich heritage of American Broadway music in one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the country. Get your tickets today and prepare for an evening of unforgettable music and memories.

AMERICAN BROADWAY SONGBOOK Bravo Vail

Vail Recreation District Sports Department - Ford Park

**Event: Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts**

**Date:** Saturday, April 20, 2024  
**Time:** 7:30 PM  
**Venue:** Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University, 610 W. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN 46208  
**Tickets:** Sold Out - Waitlist Available

Join the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for a groundbreaking concert, "Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts," on April 20, 2024, at the prestigious Schrott Center for the Arts. This unique event, conducted by Matthew Kraemer and curated by Joshua Thompson, ICO's Creative Partner-in-Residence, promises an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich legacy of Black classical music.

**Featured Performers:**
- **Joshua Thompson:** Piano
- **Kenyetta Dance Company**
- **Jared Thompson:** Saxophone
- **Psywrn Simone:** Vocalist
- **Pamela Ajango:** English Horn

**About the Event:**
Curated by Joshua Thompson, "Black Keys" is an immersive experience that weaves together the power of dance, vocal prowess, and world-class artistry. The concert showcases masterpieces by Black composers and artists spanning over three centuries, including William Grant Still, Joseph Bologne, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Harry Burleigh, and Margaret Bonds. This event is a celebration of the contributions of Black artists to the classical music genre, presented with the support of Frost Brown Todd.

**Repertoire Highlights:**
- Coleridge-Taylor: Petite Suite de Concert
- Ulysses Kay: Pieta
- Still: Darker America, Out of Silence from Seven Traceries, Africa Land of Romance, Spiritual A Deserted Plantation
- Ellington: Spring from The River, Single Petal of a Rose, MLK, Movement III from Three Black Kings
- Burleigh: The Frolic from The Southland
- Simone: Four Women
- Bonds/Hughes: Dream Variations

**Additional Information:**
- **Tickets:** This concert is currently sold out. To join the waitlist, please visit the ICO website.
- **Student/Children Tickets:** Free with reserved ticket. Call or email the ICO office to reserve.
- **Young Professionals (40 and under) Tickets:** $20. Contact the ICO office for redemption.

For more information, contact the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra at 317-940-9607 or info@icomusic.org. Don't miss this extraordinary celebration of the Black classical arts at the heart of Indianapolis.

Ellington

Events

Past events

Apr 26, 2025

Portraits of America · Roanoke Symphony Orchestra

Jan 26, 2025

Verona Quartet: Stomp at Center for the Arts · Grand Teton Music Festival

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