SMSO Presents "Angel's Song"

The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra presents Angel’s Song, a concert featuring SMSO’s very own principal harpist, Rachel Miller, performing William Alwyn’s concerto for harp and string orchestra, Lyra Angelica, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, 4 p.m. at the Howard Performing Arts Center in Berrien Springs. Although his compositional output was large and varied, the Lyra Angelica has gained most prominence since American figure skater Michelle Kwan utilized its music in her 1998 Winter Olympics routine. Also featured at the concert will be the Gran Partita by Mozart and Sonata Pian’ E Forte by Gabrieli.

A special dedication of the piece Lyra Angelica will be made at the concert in honor of long-time orchestra member, Clarence Small, who passed away in September. Clarence played the violin for over 30 years with the SMSO. As Robin Fountain, conductor of the orchestra, remarks “Clarence was a remarkable man, and a much loved figure in the SMSO. We will miss him terribly.” 

• Pre-concert Conversation beginning at 3:00pm in the concert hall.
• Post-concert Reception in the lobby following the concert.

TICKETS available online or by calling our office at 269-982-4030.
Zone A: Adult: $35 / Full-time students $5
Zone B: Adult: $20 / Full-time students $5

Pre-concert Conversations
Beginning at 3 p.m., one hour before the concert, pre-concert conversations are a rare opportunity to learn firsthand about the music you are about to hear from Music Director, Robin Fountain, and our guest artists. Presented one hour before each Mainstage concert, the conversations offer an insight into the life and time of the composers, the context of the music and hints of what to listen for—provided to deepen and enhance your enjoyment of the concert.

Post-concert Reception
Join us following the concert for a reception to enjoy refreshments and meet the SMSO musicians. It's the perfect way to end an evening of music!

Our Generous Sponsors
The Symphony is only able to perform these concerts with support from our community. While that support takes many forms, we are particularly grateful to our sponsors for this concert: Whirlpool Corporation, 90.7fm WAUS and WNIT. Additionally, this activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Art and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Notable facts about the guest artist and this performance:
Rachel Miller will expand on her concert performance by offering a harp masteclass for area harp students on Monday, Nov. 13, at St. Joseph High School, from 3–5 p.m. The public is invited to observe this free event.

As a student, Rachel Miller participated in the SMSO’s educational program, the Lake Michigan Youth Orchestra, for several years.

The concert presents an unusual selection of three pieces. Each piece requires only a select section of the orchestra to play. The Gran Partita K361 by Mozart is a piece only the wind section of the orchestra will perform. The Sonata Pian’ E Forte (literal translation: Sonata Soft and Loud) by Gabrieli, features only the brass section of the orchestra. The Lyric Angelica rounds out the concert by highlighting the beautiful sound of the harp supported by the string section of the orchestra. These three pieces will give the audience a rarely heard chance to hear and appreciate the wide variety, textures, and flavor each type of instrument provides for the ensemble.

Re-Imagine is this event’s Business of Note
This concert will also host Re-Imagine as our Business of Note. Re-Imagine, a new business venture by Becky Kliss, located at 414 State Street in downtown St. Joseph, is a consignment shop specializing in items made from repurposed materials. It is part workshop, part consignment store, part resale shop, part repair house, part classroom, and part art gallery.

For hours and more information, contact Becky Kliss at reimagineconsignment@gmail.com or call 269-849-9121.

For more information, contact the Symphony office at 269-982-4030 or visit www.smso.org.