Concerts

2009-2010 Season:

Symphony Fall Concert

Sunday, November 22 • 3 p.m., Cohan Center
"Music for New World"

Featuring Dvořák's:

Slavonic Dance No. 1
Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44
Symphony No. 9, "From the New World"

This season the symphony embarks on a year-long journey: the search for a musical voice that is uniquely American. It begins in the nineteenth century, when American composers had not yet asserted their independence from European models, and ends in the twentieth century, with American music in full bloom.

Our season-long journey begins with a program devoted to a non-American—the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák—and for good reason. On September 27, 1892, Dvořák arrived in America. He had been invited to head the newly founded National Conservatory of Music and to teach American composers to do what he had done for his native land: create a musical style unique to the nation. He surveyed African American spirituals, Native American music and … Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show! He gave young composers guidance in words, and created his Symphony No. 9, "From the New World," as a musical challenge to the nation.

The concert will begin with Dvořák's Slavonic Dance No. 1, the work that earned him his reputation for writing folk-inspired symphonic music, and which thus eventually led to his trip to America. Our winds will then explore his Serenade in D Minor, Op. 44, written directly before the Slavonic Dances.

Symphony Winter Concert

Sunday, March 7 • 3 p.m., Cohan Center
"Student Soloist Showcase"

Our Winter Concert is the second stop on our season-long journey: the search for a uniquely American sound. It will also feature the winners of our annual student solo competition!

As we heard at the Fall Concert, Antonín Dvořák challenged American composers to find a national style with his Ninth Symphony, "From the New World." One American who answered this challenge was William Grant Still, an African-American active in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. We will perform his Symphony No. 1, "Afro-American," a work that brings the blues into the concert hall. This audacious marriage of America’s great blues tradition and the pinnacle of European instrumental art music is not to be missed!

Students are encouraged to audition for the Student Soloist Showcase!

Open House Concert

Saturday, April 17 • 8 p.m., Cohan Center
"Shades of Blue"
Featuring the Cal Poly Symphony, Wind Ensemble, & University Jazz Band

After an exciting day at Cal Poly’s Open House, come and enjoy an evening of live entertainment by three of the Music Department’s finest instrumental ensembles. This year our theme is “Shades of Blue.” The blues is one of America’s greatest musical treasures and is the foundation of virtually every major American music form born in the 20th century including jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

The Cal Poly Symphony will perform William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, “Afro-American,” a work that brings the blues into the concert hall.

Then the University Jazz Band will perform "Blue Light Boogie" by jazz/R&B artist Louis Jordan and the classic "Every Day I Have the Blues."

The Wind Ensemble will perform Frank Ticheli’s “Blue Shades,” “Wild Nights” and “Angels in the Architecture.” Hollywood film composer, J. Eric Schmidt, will be on hand to conduct one of his original works for wind band.

Sit back, relax and let 100 university musicians take over. A must-see, must-hear... must be there concert!

Spring Concert with the Cal Poly Choirs

Saturday, May 29 • 8 p.m., Cohan Center
"An American Tapestry"

The Cal Poly Symphony and the Cal Poly Choirs combine to bring a variety of musical styles from two of America's most beloved composers:

Aaron Copland
Leonard Bernstein

David Arrivée and Thomas Davies, conductors

Concerts are in Harman Hall of the Performing Arts Center's Christopher Cohan Center. For more information on the Center, other concerts there, or to order tickets, please visit their Web page, or call them:

Local: 756-ARTS (756-2787)
Toll-free in California: 1-888-233-ARTS
Outside California: 1-805-756-ARTS