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Symphony Orchestra with Conservatory Choir
Saturday, November 15 @ 7:30 pm
Armstrong Concert Hall
Emanuele Andrizzi, Artistic Director & Conductor
150 Years Young
Symphony Orchestra with Conservatory Choir
Celebrate our 150th anniversary with an unforgettable evening of music honoring our legacy and future. The Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory Choir (Richard W. Robbins, director) present a sweeping program filled with drama, lyricism and meaning. The concert opens with Rossini’s William Tell Overture, followed by the premiere of a specially commissioned work by Joel Puckett ’99 (Bachelor of Music in Composition). Written in honor of Shenandoah’s milestone year, this vibrant new piece celebrates an institution 150 years young — rooted in tradition, yet ever evolving through the artistry of its students, faculty and alumni. Cellist Christopher Gilley* then brings passion and precision to the first movement of Barber’s searing Cello Concerto, op. 22, conducted by Juan Domínguez. The evening concludes with Franck’s Symphony in D Minor, a sweeping and soulful masterpiece that stands as one of the great symphonies of the late nineteenth century.
Join us for a night of bold music, rising talent and a stirring celebration of Shenandoah’s past, present and future.
*denotes Student Soloists Competition winner
Joel Puckett’s new work was commissioned in celebration of Shenandoah University’s 150th anniversary, and made possible by the generosity of John Lewis in honor of his wife, Marjorie.
Meet the Guest Composer
Joel Puckett is an American composer whose music has been described as “soaringly lyrical” (Minneapolis Star Tribune) and “Puccini-esque” (Wall Street Journal). Known for blending emotional depth with imaginative orchestration, his compositions captivate audiences around the globe.
Puckett’s acclaimed works include The Shadow of Sirius, a flute concerto with over 200 worldwide performances featured on the Grammy-nominated Naxos recording of the same name. His opera The Fix, commissioned by Minnesota Opera, was praised for its rich orchestration and powerful storytelling, prompting Parterre Box to declare, “Puckett should be a household word.”
His recent collaborations with celebrated artists such as jazz trumpeter Sean Jones and tenor Nicholas Phan further illustrate Puckett’s versatility and artistic range. His newest album, Short Stories in London, featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and released on AVIE Records, showcases his skill in creating compelling musical narratives.
As professor of music theory and composition at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, Puckett is deeply committed to fostering musical talent and creativity. Joel Puckett’s music continues to resonate with listeners and critics alike, making him one of today’s most compelling musical voices.
Digital Program
Shenandoah Conservatory uses digital programs for all performances. In addition to their engaging and accessible design, digital programs are cost effective, environmentally friendly and enable us to create and update our programs more efficiently, which means we can focus our resources on the performances you love! View our digital programs by clicking the button above, scanning the QR code in our venue or texting PROGRAM to (540) 307-2336 at the performance. [Note: Digital programs are best viewed on your mobile or tablet device.]
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