Symphony orchestra to present 'Sampler' on Sunday

The Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra will present its annual "Symphony Sampler" concerts Sunday to provide a free preview to the upcoming 2015-2016 symphony season, according to a news release from Southeast Missouri State University.

The symphony will perform two brief concerts, starting at 2 p.m. and repeating the same program at 3 p.m., to introduce the music to be performed this year. These concerts also will provide a brief introduction to the instruments of the orchestra, according to the release. Drawings for free tickets to the upcoming concerts will be held, and patrons will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the upcoming symphony concerts.

"Symphony Sampler" concerts are free and open to the public. The concerts will take place in the Shuck Music Recital Hall on the River Campus, the release stated.

"This program should be a fun and informative introduction to the Southeast Missouri Symphony," Sara Edgerton, the conductor of the symphony, said in the release. "We will perform a variety of excerpts of music from our concert season."

The concerts will include short selections from Dvorak's "New World Symphony," the overture to Handel's "Messiah," as well as other contrasting excerpts, the release stated. The program will include a brief demonstration of the different sections of the orchestra to show how various instruments create the range of sounds and expression found in the symphony orchestra.

"This would be a great opportunity for families to introduce their children to the wonderful sounds of the symphony orchestra," Edgerton said in the release. "We certainly welcome everyone to join us for these informative, fun, short concerts to start off our new concert season."

For more information, contact the Department of Music at (573) 651-2141 or visit www.news.semo.edu/symphony-sampler-to-offer-preview-of-orchestra-season/#sthash.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.