Visit ‘Your Family, Our Family’ Nov. 3

Symphony concert at Elkhart’s Lerner Theatre

ELKHART, Ind. — The Elkhart County Symphony is having a family get-together…with music!

“Your Family, Our Family” is the theme of the next concert in the symphony’s performance season. The show starts at 4 p.m. Nov. 3 at The Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. Tickets range from $12 to $25 and are available through the symphony’s website at elkhartsymphony.org.

The concert is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and WNIT.

“’Your Family, Our Family’ celebrates all the common experiences that we share!,” said John R. Hill, co-executive director of the Elkhart County Symphony. “Everyone who has been a musician in a band, orchestra, or choir knows the bond that develops through rehearsing and performing together as a unit. Just as families bond together, musicians feel a close connection to those who make music with them. But, did you know the instruments in an orchestra make up a set of ‘families’ also? Come to the Nov. 3 Elkhart County Symphony concert and find out!”

ABOUT THE CONCERT
The afternoon “Your Family, Our Family” concert will begin with “Huapango” by José Pablo Moncayo. “Huapango” is the unofficial second national anthem of Mexico. It was written in 1941 by then 29-year-old Moncayo (1912-1958) and incorporates folk songs he heard as he traveled in Mexico.

Up next in the program will be Franz Schubert’s “Symphony No. 8.” It is commonly known as the “Unfinished Symphony.”

After intermission, the audience will hear a new composition written by one of America’s great composers for a fantastic conductor. “De Trois” is a three-sectioned, single-movement piece written in 2018 by Libby Larsen. The work was commissioned by the Fox Valley Symphony and written for conductor Brian Groner as recognition for his 23 years with the symphony. Groner is also the Elkhart County Symphony’s conductor.

The final piece will highlight the dramatic sounds of every “family” of instruments within the orchestra. Benjamin Britten’s “Young People’s Guide to the Orchestra” was written specially to introduce young people to the orchestra instruments. Dawn Ashton will be the narrator. The piece begins with the entire orchestra playing the theme, followed by various combinations of instruments playing variations of the theme.

VISIT THE ‘ZOO’
The music won’t just be happening onstage during “Your Family, Our Family.” There will be an “instrument petting zoo” set up in the lobby before the concert for people of all ages to try out musical instruments!

ABOUT THE ELKHART COUNTY SYMPHONY
The Elkhart County Symphony Association employs more than 100 professional musicians in the county. The organization promotes cultural experiences and instills civic pride in our community by encouraging artistic integrity, providing innovative opportunities, and presenting excellent musical programming through concerts, education, and special events.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit elkhartsymphony.org.