William Henry Curry Conducts Rhapsody in Blue with pianist Timo Andres;Program also Features Dvořák’s New World Symphony, Copland, and Sousa; Citizen Musicians Join in for “Play with the Pros;” Kids 12 and Under Free on Lawn
The North Carolina Symphony launches its 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m., with a concert program that features pianist Timo Andres performing Gershwin’s incomparable Rhapsody in Blue, the orchestra’s performance of Dvořák’s New World Symphony, and other works by Copland and Sousa that feature “citizen musicians” as they join the orchestra.
The concert program, led by Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director William Henry Curry, also features “Hoe Down” from Rodeo and An Outdoor Overture by Aaron Copland, and The Liberty Bell March by John Philip Sousa featuring “citizen musicians” performing with the North Carolina Symphony during “Play with the Pros.” When the citizen musicians join the Symphony on stage, the orchestra’s size will nearly double for those selections.
Composer and pianist Timo Andres performed Rhapsody in Blue with the Symphony during the 2014-15 classical season to great acclaim. Mr. Andres’ new works include a piano quintet for Jonathan Biss and the Elias String Quartet, commissioned and presented by Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam and San Francisco Performances; a solo piano work for Kirill Gerstein, commissioned by the Gilmore Foundation; a new string quartet for the Library of Congress, premiered by the Attacca Quartet; and a new piece for the group yMusic.
This summer marks the 30th anniversary of performances in Cary and the orchestra’s 15th season in the stunning lakeside pavilion built by the Town of Cary, a major sponsor of Summerfest. Gates open for the concerts series at 5:30 p.m., except for Independence Day, when they open at 3 p.m. Thanks to sponsor Golden Corral, children 12 and under are admitted free on the lawn, so attending a North Carolina Symphony concert at Booth Amphitheatre is a wonderful summer bargain for families.
The North Carolina Symphony’s popular Rex Healthcare Summerfest concerts bring great music for relaxed listening to Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre May 23 through July 9. While concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., concertgoers may bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs as early as 5:30 p.m. to enjoy the striking natural surroundings before the music begins. Some of music’s most exciting offerings—as well as contests and prizes, the MetLife Instrument Zoos for the kids, the Town of Cary’s Fourth of July celebration, with fireworks and so much more—make these evening performances under the stars a special treat for everyone in the family.
This year’s series lineup also includes:
- On Saturday, May 30, Associate Conductor David Glover and the Symphony perform “Your Favorite Light Classics,” including Grieg’s Peer Gynt and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody.
- “Totally 80s” on Saturday, June 6, features songs like “Human Nature,” “Don’t Stop Believing,” and “Boys of Summer,” plus hits by Lionel Richie, Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar, and more.
- On Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, the orchestra, led by David Glover, will bring Summerfest audiences the two-night White Nights: Russian Festival that features music by some of the world’s greatest Russian composers.
- Friday’s program includes Shostakovich’s Festival Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, featuring Jinjoo Cho, Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio espagnole.
- Saturday’s program includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Sean Chen.
- On Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, audiences will enjoy two great evenings of music from stage and screen performed by the Symphony, and led by David Glover.
- Friday night’s program is An Evening of Broadway, with music from Annie, Oliver, Wicked, and more.
- Saturday night’s concert will be Symphonic Wizardry, featuring the Music of Harry Potter, a musical journey inspired by the world of Harry Potter, with selections from How to Train Your Dragon, Ghostbusters, and others.
- Back by popular demand on Saturday, June 27, guest conductor Brent Havens, the North Carolina Symphony and a rocking tribute band salute The Music of the Eagles. Hits include “Hotel California,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Witchy Woman,” “Desperado,” “Tequila Sunrise” “One of These Nights,” and many more.
- The Symphony’s free “Independence Day” concert with fireworks. The gates open at 3 p.m., so come early to Booth Amphitheatre and grab the best seats on the lawn for the area’s biggest Fourth of July fireworks display. This concert filled with patriotic favorites will feature David Glover and tenor Scott MacLeod.
- The Finale of the Rex Healthcare Summerfest 2015 series on Thursday, July 9, will feature a concert presented by the North Carolina Symphony that showcases talents of the Hot Sardines, an electrifying band from Manhattan that is captivating audiences world-wide. (The North Carolina Symphony is presenting, but not performing at this concert.)
Summerfest 2015 is presented by Rex Healthcare. Co-sponsors are the Town of Cary, First Citizens Bank, Synergy and Collins & Franklin Plastic Surgery, and North State Bank. Summerfest partners are Golden Corral, MetLife, CaptiveAire, LORD Corporation, Raleigh Windows & Siding, and Crabtree Valley Mall. Media sponsors are Cary Magazine, FOX 50, WRAL.com-TV5, and MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM.
Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Parkway in Cary, N.C.
The 10-concert Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series offers music lovers a perfect family outing, and once again, concertgoers who display the biggest and boldest culinary skills can win prizes. The Whole Foods Market of Cary Picnic of the Week contest returns for the sixth year. Throughout the summer, groups of concertgoers selected as the best picnickers of that weekend’s concert will receive a $100 gift basket from Whole Foods Market of Cary. Two honorable mentions in the form of $25 gift cards will also be awarded. Select Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts also feature other pre-concert activities, including MetLife Instrument Zoos for kids of all ages.
Tickets and Subscriptions
General admission lawn seating to “Summerfest Opening Night” is $28 in advance, $30 at the door. Covered table seating is also available for $31 in advance, $33 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free for lawn seating at all Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts.
Flex tickets on the lawn and covered tables are also available for the entire series, on sale through June 8. Beginning at $108, flex tickets allow music lovers the easiest access to the Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series, for savings of up to 40% when compared to single-concert ticket prices. For more on becoming a series subscriber, visit the Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series page at www.ncsymphony.org/subscriptions.