VIRGINIA SYMPHONY TO CLOSE “MUSIC BY THE BAY” SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Noted soprano Aundie Marie Moore will perform traditional spirituals.FORT MONROE, VA – The Fort Monroe Authority will close its successful Music by the Bay at Summer Concert Series with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on Friday, August 31st at 7:30 p.m. The performance will take place at Continental Park and is free and open to the public.
The concert at Fort Monroe is new this year to the Symphony Under the Stars series. “We were very excited to have the opportunity to perform at Ft. Monroe,” stated Associate Conductor Benjamin Rous. “Ft. Monroe is emerging as one of the very most significant sites in Virginia, and we have prepared a performance that reflects some of its amazing history, while providing a fun and entertaining time for the whole family in this unique setting.” The program includes selections by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Copland as well as some traditional spirituals performed by soprano Aundie Marie Moore. Ms. Moore is quickly establishing herself as one of America’s leading young sopranos. Her past engagements include Serena in Porgy and Bess with Atlanta Opera; Young African American Soprano in the world premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s Rappahannock County; as well as educational performances as Jo in Let Freedom Sing: The Marian Anderson Story to name a few.
The presenting sponsor for this concert is Susan Bentley Joseph. As the Fort Monroe Foundation was seeking resources to support this free concert for the community, Mrs. Joseph immediately stepped forward with a generous gift to make this concert possible. Her legacy continues as we honor her love for the Virginia Symphony and her love for the community.
“We’re also extremely excited that the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will play at Fort Monroe for the first time to wrap up the concert series on August 31st”, says Glenn Oder, Executive Director of The Fort Monroe Authority. “The Symphony’s performance will be the concert series’ grand finale rounding out the Fort Monroe tradition of ending the concert series with Tchaikovsky’s “Overture of 1812”, continues Oder.
The Virginia Symphony has enriched the communities of Hampton Roads for 90 years, offering more than 140 classical, pops, family, educational, and outreach concerts each season, including orchestral support of the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Arts Festival. Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director, JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony is Southeastern Virginia’s pre-eminent professional symphony orchestra. Founded in 1920, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities for more than 200,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 63,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the Performing Arts in Southeastern Virginia.
Concert attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, bring their coolers, picnics, lawn chairs and blankets. Concert goers may also dine at the Award-winning Chamberlin before enjoying the sounds of the Virginia Symphony. The Chamberlin will be hosting a buffet from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm for $25 per person. Sample menu items include salad bar, fresh seafood bar, chef’s table, carving station and an assortment of desserts. For reservations and full menu details visit www.HistoricChamberlin.com or call (757) 637 – 7200.
For more information, contact Phyllis Terrell, 757-251-2754 or PTerrell@fmauthority.com.
