TICKETS ON SALE FOR JANUARY 18 MATINÉE CONCERT
OF MUSIC BY AMERICAN COMPOSERS
OF MUSIC BY AMERICAN COMPOSERS
The Northern Neck Orchestra begins the New Year with a special Sunday matinée concert on January 18, featuring the enchanting music of four outstanding American composers.
The program includes Amy Beach’s Bal Masque, Florence Price’s Adoration, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings with guest conductor Claire Lewis, Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with award-winning soprano soloist Alexandra Razskazoff, and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring with pianist and winner of the Respighi Prize in Conducting Claire Lewis.
The concert, at the Lancaster Elementary School Theater, 191 School Street in Kilmarnock, begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a pre-concert talk at 1:15 p.m. by Music Director Michael Repper. He will be joined at the talk by the Lancaster Elementary School Choir, under the direction of Destiny M. Carter, which will perform Simple Gifts, the famous Shaker song that appears in Appalachian Spring.
The orchestra will be performing works by more American composers during the year as it joins in the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “America 250."
The program includes Amy Beach’s Bal Masque, Florence Price’s Adoration, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings with guest conductor Claire Lewis, Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with award-winning soprano soloist Alexandra Razskazoff, and Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring with pianist and winner of the Respighi Prize in Conducting Claire Lewis.
The concert, at the Lancaster Elementary School Theater, 191 School Street in Kilmarnock, begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a pre-concert talk at 1:15 p.m. by Music Director Michael Repper. He will be joined at the talk by the Lancaster Elementary School Choir, under the direction of Destiny M. Carter, which will perform Simple Gifts, the famous Shaker song that appears in Appalachian Spring.
The orchestra will be performing works by more American composers during the year as it joins in the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “America 250."
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I’m thrilled about this January concert because bringing these American composers together opens up a powerful narrative of expression and color with Alexandra Razskazoff’s luminous soprano anchoring part of the evening, I know the energy in the room will be unforgettable. Michael Repper, Music Director |
The performance begins with pioneering pianist-composer Amy Beach’s delightful Bal Masque. Beach, who lived from 1867 to 1944, wrote more than 150 works. Her Gaelic Symphony, composed in 1895, is considered the first published symphony by an American woman.
The concert next features African American composer Florence Price’s eloquent Adoration. One of the last works composed by Price before her death in 1953, Adoration has been described as a lyrical repose of pure, traditional beauty.
Samuel Barber’s deeply poignant Adagio for Strings is among the most celebrated American compositions. Although only seven minutes in length, the work possesses an intense emotional impact that moves audiences deeply.
By contrast, Barber’s dreamlike Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is filled with romance and nostalgia. The haunting beauty of this work will be amplified by the glorious voice of Alexandra Razskazoff. The soprano was a Grand Finals winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Laffont Competition in 2022.
The concert concludes with Aaron Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring with the exceptional skill of pianist Claire Lewis. Commissioned as a ballet for choreographer Martha Graham, the piece memorably features variations of the Shaker song Simple Gifts. The Graham’s ballet Appalachian Spring premiered in 1944. Copland was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1945.
The concert next features African American composer Florence Price’s eloquent Adoration. One of the last works composed by Price before her death in 1953, Adoration has been described as a lyrical repose of pure, traditional beauty.
Samuel Barber’s deeply poignant Adagio for Strings is among the most celebrated American compositions. Although only seven minutes in length, the work possesses an intense emotional impact that moves audiences deeply.
By contrast, Barber’s dreamlike Knoxville: Summer of 1915 is filled with romance and nostalgia. The haunting beauty of this work will be amplified by the glorious voice of Alexandra Razskazoff. The soprano was a Grand Finals winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Laffont Competition in 2022.
The concert concludes with Aaron Copland’s iconic Appalachian Spring with the exceptional skill of pianist Claire Lewis. Commissioned as a ballet for choreographer Martha Graham, the piece memorably features variations of the Shaker song Simple Gifts. The Graham’s ballet Appalachian Spring premiered in 1944. Copland was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1945.
Single tickets are $40.00
Students are free with an online reservation.
Lancaster Elementary School Theater
191 School Street, Kilmarnock.
Pre-concert talk | 1:15 p.m.
Concert | 2:00 p.m.
Students are free with an online reservation.
Lancaster Elementary School Theater
191 School Street, Kilmarnock.
Pre-concert talk | 1:15 p.m.
Concert | 2:00 p.m.
Dominion Energy is the Lead Sponsor of the
2025-2026 Season of the Northern Neck Orchestra
2025-2026 Season of the Northern Neck Orchestra