Resident Partnerof the Fox Cities

Performing Arts Center

O U R L E A D S P O N S O R S

2 0 1 7 / 1 8 S E A S O N

Grand Finale

MAESTRO GRONER’S

F V S O 5 1 S T S E A S O N

Welcome to the 51st season of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra!

This season marks my final season as Music

Director and Conductor of this fine orchestra

and each program is filled with pieces which

I sincerely want to share with the audience. All the

soloists chosen are wonderful artists with whom I

have worked before and they feel like part of my

extended family.

Before I auditioned for this orchestra, I did a

good deal of research, asking many people in

the region what they thought about the FVSO

and the community which supported it. Fox

Cities residents shared that this is a place that

works hard to give their children a good musical

education and that the community shows strong

support for its orchestra. That convinced me to

apply (with well over 100 of my colleagues) and I

happily found that both things were (and are) true.

Music changes lives. Whether you are a creator

of the music, a listener or a supporter of the arts

in general, it has a powerful impact on all of those

involved. Maintaining a strong orchestra takes

great effort, but orchestras are worth every bit of

the energy it takes to sustain them to keep them

alive and healthy. This community understands

that, and as a result this orchestra will continue to

nourish souls, inspire noble visions, and create a

clearer sense of who we are and what we dream of

being for a very long time to come.

There are too many people I wish to thank for

the truly memorable years I have spent as Music

Director of this ensemble. I will make certain that I

share my gratitude to them in person, but for now

please allow me to say to each of you a humble

thank you for allowing me to be part of this very

special place. Thank you for allowing me to make

music with this wonderful group of musicians who

are now my colleagues and friends.

BRIAN GRONERMusic Director& Conductor

F R O M T H E M A E S T R O

OPENING NIGHTOctober 7, 2017 • 7:30 p.m.

Russian Masters Special guest Wen-Lei GuSmith/Key • Star-Spangled Banner

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky • Overture to Voyevoda, Op. 3, TH 1

Dmitry Shostakovich • Violin Concerto No. 1, Op. 77, A minor

Modest Mussorgsky/arr. Ravel• Pictures at an Exhibition

We start our season with the emotionally challenging and technically brilliant Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1, played

by Lawrence University’s professor Wen-Lei Gu. This award-winning and internationally popular soloist is a great friend of Maestro Groner, and we are delighted to welcome her back to our stage. “Her playing remains so elegant and so sophisticated,” says Groner. “It has been my distinct privilege to work with her on ten different occasions.”

We finish this all-Russian program with Pictures at an Exhibition, selected to showcase how the orchestra has grown and to celebrate the musicians who made this growth possible.

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November 18, 2017 • 7:30 p.m.

European TourGioachino Rossini• Semiramide: Overture

Richard Wagner • Tristan und Isolde, WWV90: Prelude & Liebestod

(Love’s Death) Special guest vocalist Katy Harth

Serge Prokofiev • Classical Symphony, Op. 25

Benjamin Britten • Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a

L awrence University graduate Katherine Harth joins us for Wagner’s Tristan

und Isolde. “Her voice, like her persona, has great warmth and clarity,” says Groner.

The Classical Symphony by Prokofiev, according to Maestro Groner, “is so Mozartian in clarity,

so Prokofiev in its difficulty, and so delightful.”The Four Sea Interludes, extracted from the opera

Peter Grimes, closes out this magnificent musical tour.

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February 3, 2018 • 7:30 p.m.

Modern American LegendsSpecial guest Chris Brubeck Michael Daugherty • Route 66

Chris Brubeck • Fanfare to a Remarkable Friend

Chris Brubeck • Prague Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra

John Adams • The Chairman Dances; Foxtrot for Orchestra

Aaron Copland • Billy the Kid: Suite

F rom Daugherty to Copland, this concert highlights American composing legends. We are delighted to welcome back to our stage

composer, musician, and true friend Chris Brubeck. “His enthusiasm for life fills all that he writes. One

of his great gifts is his ability to span multiple styles of music in his compositions. One of his greatest strengths is the way he truly values each of those diverse styles.” — Brian Groner, FVSO

“A composer with a real flair for lyrical melody–a 21st Century Lenny Bernstein.” — John von Rhein, music critic for The Chicago Tribune

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March 3, 2018 • 7:30 p.m.

Mardi Gras in New OrleansSpecial guest Byron Stripling

Celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras with a night of steamy New Orleans jazz! The good times roll with music from street parades in the

French Quarter to late night jams in the city’s famed clubs. Byron Stripling’s engaging personality, and his infectious charm on and off the stage, makes him a returning favorite of our audience.

“I want to keep improving my ability to communicate musically to an audience, putting all of my influences and interests together while having the results be natural. There are always infinite possibilities in music.” — Byron Stripling

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GRAND FINALEMay 2, 2018 • 7:30 p.m.

Joshua Bell Hector Berlioz • Roman Carnival

Camille Saint-Saens

• Introduction & Rondo capriccioso

Nigel Hess • Ladies in Lavender

Pablo de Sarasate • Ziguenerweisen, Op. 20 (Gypsy Airs)

Jean Sibelius • Symphony No. 2, Op. 43, D major

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T he Overture to Roman Carnival is the piece that ended Brian Groner’s first program with our orchestra, and will start the final

concert of his tenure. Maestro Groner also welcomes back to

our stage the incredible, global talent Joshua Bell. Many years have passed since his first performance with our orchestra, and it is a great honor to have him return.

“Bell led the listener into a still place where time seemed to trail off. Bell seemed to be at one with the orchestra.” — Review of Bell with Los Angeles Philharmonic, October 2016

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Co-presented with

April 28, 2018 • 7:30 p.m.

newVoices with the FVSO at Lawrence Chapel The music of John Rutter: Requiem and selected sacred anthems

W atch in awe as talented local dancers tell this classic holiday tale, accompanied with live music by the Fox Valley Symphony

Orchestra and the Appleton Boychoir.

Tickets sold separately! Please visit or call the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office, (920) 730-3760.

December 16 & 17, 2017

Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker

ADD ON • PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY

ADD ON • PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY

Tickets sold separately! Please call newVoices at (920) 832-9700 or visit newvoiceschoir.org

Concertmaster Series-

Join us at Riverview Gardens for our Concertmaster Series, showcasing our musicians performing music they love including complex chamber pieces. You will enjoy the warm, relaxed setting where we can all get closer to the music.

Our 2017-18 Concertmaster series schedule will be released this summer. Look for details on our website at foxvalleysymphony.com.

Saturday, July 1, 2017 • 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. • Tailgating encouraged!

B rats, Beer & Beethoven is a FREE, family-friendly, community event featuring a concert by the Fox Valley Symphony

Orchestra and a huge fireworks celebration at Fox Cities Stadium. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, July 1, 2017.

The first concert, held in July of 2015, drew more than 3,000 people, and we’re going to knock it out of the park again this year! The popular music, fireworks, and free admission give this event mass appeal. Bring your friends and family to enjoy this spectacular event!

( An email address will allow us to send you advance offers on all Fox Valley Symphony

Orchestra tickets and invitations to special events.)

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2017/18 • 5-CONCERT PACKAGE • ORDER FORM

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2017/18 • 5-CONCERT PACKAGE • ORDER FORM

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Please mail your form to:FOX VALLEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA111 West College Avenue, Suite 550Appleton, WI 54911

There are three pricing levels: Premium A, B and C sections, assigned to the three levels as follows.

Section A: Orchestra D-U, Dress Circle A-C and Orchestra Right and Left Boxes

Section B: Orchestra V-Z, Dress Circle D-F and Dress Right and Left Boxes

Section C: Grand Tier A-F, Orchestra A-C and Grand Tier boxes

ADA Seating: Available upon request

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Orchestra. Thank you!

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NEWSLETTER

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quarter

OPENING NIGHT October 7, 2017 7:30 p.m.Special guest Wen Lei Gu

February 3, 2018 7:30 p.m.Special guest Chris Brubeck

Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker SuiteDec. 16 & 17, 2017

November 18, 20177:30 p.m.Special guest

Katy Harth

March 3, 20187:30 p.m.Special guest

Byron Stripling

April 28, 20187:30 p.m.

newVoices at the ChapelJohn Rutter: Requiem

GRAND FINALE May 2, 2018 7:30 p.m.

Joshua Bell

SaturdayJuly 1, 2017 7:30 p.m.

Brats, Beer & Beethoven

SEASON AT A GLANCE

ADD ON • PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY

ADD ON • PLEASE ORDER SEPARATELY

The Nutcracker can be purchased separately by visiting or calling the Fox Cities P.A.C. Ticket Office, (920) 730-3760.

Tickets for newVoices with the FVSO can be purchased by calling newVoices at (920) 832-9700 or online at newvoiceschoir.org

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