The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Davidson College Symphony Orchestra shared the stage before a sold-out audience at Duke Family Performance Hall on Oct. 29, according to The Davidsonian.
The newspaper described the event as the ensembles’ first joint concert. It reported an eight-piece program, with Davidson students joining the professionals for the final two selections. Works included Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and Brahms’s “Hungarian Dance No. 5.”
Davidson conductor Tara Villa Keith prepared the students, while Charlotte Symphony conductor Christopher James Lees led the performance. Keith had worked toward the collaboration for years and hopes it becomes an annual event.
Principal cellist Silas Garrett ’27 and violinist Suzie Pugliese ’30 told the campus newspaper that playing beside professional musicians helped them recognize ways to improve their technique and ensemble work. Garrett hoped the sellout would encourage more people to attend future student concerts.
Keith’s college profile identifies her as chair and professor of music and director of the college orchestra. Her conducting background also includes guest appearances and educational work with the Charlotte Symphony.
Upcoming performances
The orchestra will participate in “Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín” on Thursday, Nov. 19. Davidson’s event listing gives a 7:30 p.m. start at Duke Family Performance Hall. The concert-drama combines Verdi’s music with testimony, historical footage and narration about Jewish prisoners who performed the work at Theresienstadt.
Tickets are free for Davidson students. Other patrons can contact the Union Box Office at 704-894-2135.
The college’s Holiday Gala announcement lists two Dec. 2 performances, at 5:30 and 8 p.m., featuring the choirs, symphony orchestra, Appalachian Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble and Dance Davidson.
