Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra announces 2005-2006 Commerce Bank concert series

The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra continues its tradition of exciting programming, sampling music from many diverse areas and styles, in its 2005-2006 Commerce Bank Subscription Series.

The first concert of the season, "Encore! With Judith Farris," will be held Oct. 4 in Academic Auditorium. Memorable melodies from the world of classical music and from Broadway will be heard on this opening concert of the season. The program will begin with festive symphonic works inspired by Spanish and American dance, including Ravel's masterpiece, "Bolero." Judith Farris, celebrated vocalist and alumna of Southeast, will join the orchestra with renditions of popular Broadway show tunes for a rousing second half.

For the second concert of the season, the Southeast Missouri Chamber Orchestra Oct. 25 will perform one of the greatest organ concertos of all time, Poulenc's marvelous "Organ Concerto." The concert will be held in Old St. Vincent's Church. Dr. Gary Miller, chair of Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Music, will be the organ soloist for this special chamber orchestra program. This will be an opportunity to hear the lovely sounds of the newly installed organ at Old St. Vincent's Church.

The first University Choir/Choral Union concert of the year, "Festive Choral Works," will be held Nov. 29 in Academic Auditorium. Under the direction of Dr. Steven Hendricks, the University Choir and Choral Union will join the Southeast Missouri Symphony for this holiday program of choral and orchestral works. A highlight of the concert will be Poulenc's exciting "Gloria." Members of the community are invited to start their holiday season here at Southeast with this festive program of choral and orchestral music.

On March 14, Beethoven's "First Symphony" will be featured on the first concert of the spring semester. Those in attendance will experience the exuberance and energy of the great master, Beethoven, in this epic first symphony. Beethoven broke out of the traditional classical mold with this work, which conveys both the youthful spirits and mature mastery of Beethoven. Also featured on this program will be the winners of Southeast's 2005-2006 Concerto and Aria Competition.

The final concert of the series will be performed on May 2. Celebrating the 250th anniversary this year of Mozart's birth, Southeast's University Choir and Choral Union will again join the Southeast Missouri Symphony to present Mozart's late, great work, his "Requiem." Mysteries surround this work, composed in the final months of Mozart's life and left incomplete upon his death. Of one thing there can be no question: this is a work of genius, and hearing it performed live is a great human experience.

Tickets sent on sale July 1 at The Performing Arts Box Office. The Box Office will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Stop by the Rose Theatre lobby or call (573) 651-2265 to reserve tickets. Series subscription tickets will be available through Sept. 23 and are offered at a 10 percent discount. Call today to reserve excellent seats for this year's exciting concerts