Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra: Spiritual Americana
49th Season in 2025-2026: Spiritual Americana!
The concert will begin with Maryland composer Michael Fili’s concert fanfare for brass and percussion entitled “The Old Line” in honor of Maryland and the 250th anniversary of the United States, then continue with Samuel Barber’s moving and popular Adagio for Strings. Samuel Barber was from just up Route 1 in West Chester, PA! George Gershwin’s exciting rumba-influenced “Cuban Overture” will delight audiences before the intermission.
Following intermission, a community choir of high schooler groups, a church choir, and a community chorus from across the county will be featured, singing a piece by Aaron Copland. Then, the choir, orchestra, and a baritone soloist will perform Ohio composers Jesse Ayers and Charles Myricks, Jr.’s medley of spirituals entitled “There’s a Stirrin’ in the Water.” This work has been well received at its initial performances in Ohio. The concert will finish with George Gershwin’s ever-popular “Rhapsody in Blue,” performed by pianist Washington Garcia, who is well-known in Maryland, having attended Peabody and performed a Mozart Piano Concerto with the SSO in the past.
Michael Fili – The Old Line (Concert Fanfare for Brass and Percussion)
Brian Folus, conductor
Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings
George Gershwin – Cuban Overture (Rumba)
Aaron Copland – “Zion’s Walls”
with community choirs
Jesse Ayers and Charles Myricks, Jr. – “There’s a Stirrin’ in the Water”
with community choirs and baritone Kellen Johnson
George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
Washington Garcia, piano
6:45 p.m. – the lobby opens for patrons to enjoy concessions from Coffee Coffee and shop with local artsits and author vendors (items priced up to $100).
While we welcome children for this concert, if children cannot remain silent, please escort them to the lobby as a courtesy to the other patrons and performers.
We appreciate your support of the orchestra, but please stay home if you are ill for the protection of the community.
