(Norman, Okla., Nov. 12, 2012)— The University of Oklahoma School of Music presents the OU Symphony Orchestra in concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 27 in the Sharp Concert Hall, Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd Street in Norman.
The program will feature Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 and the Carnival Overture of Antonin Dvorak, music from the late 19th century German and central European tradition. The OU Symphony consists of 65 members from the School of Music and OU.
"The whole concert is filled with the most beautiful and noble romantic music. The orchestra has not previously performed Bruckner, and I'm amazed at the quickness with which they've grasped the stillness and majesty of the music. This is such a magnificent, awe-inspiring work, which seems to come from a place of deep faith. Our audience is in for a rare experience in hearing it; and there is no more thrilling piece in the repertoire than Dvorak's “Carnival Overture.” It’s brilliant, fun and full of gorgeous melody," states Dr. Jonathan Shames, Music Director.
Dr. Shames is the Director of Orchestral Activities and Artistic Director of OU Opera Theater at the OU School of Music. He began his conducting career at the Opera Company of Boston, and has since conducted throughout the United States, holding music directorships of orchestras and festivals in Washington and Wyoming.
Chris David Westover will conduct the Carnival Overture. Westover, a doctoral student in conducting at OU who studies with Dr. Shames, currently serves as music director of the Civic Orchestra at OU and as assistant conductor of the Symphony Orchestra and music director of the Fall Opera Scenes program. Mr. Westover has served as the assistant conductor for OU Opera Theater since 2010 and worked on recent productions of Iphigénie en Tauride, Mozart’s Don Giovanni, La Clemenza di Tito and Stravinsky’s Le Rossignol and Mavra. In 2010 Westover gave his professional debut in Dallas, Texas at the Winspear Opera House.
All Sutton Series performances are in OU’s Catlett Music Center, 500 W. Boyd, in your OU Arts District! Tickets for Sutton Series events are $9 for adults and $5 for students, faculty, and staff, military and senior adults. For tickets and up-to-date information call the Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.
Please visit http://music.ou.edu/ for a full calendar of events and performances at the School of Music. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. For accommodations on the basis of disability, please call the Fine Arts Box Office at (405) 325-4101.