NATCHITOCHES – The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra will present six concerts and be part of the annual Christmas Gala during its 61st season, which begins on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Dr. Douglas Bakenhus is the musical director of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra. Andrej Kurti is assistant conductor. Sofiko Tchetchelashvili and Karla González Bueno are instructors.
The season theme is “American Mosaic,” celebrating our nation’s rich musical heritage from patriotic anthems and folk traditions to contemporary masterworks.
“I thought we would celebrate the 250 years of Independence at our first concert September 22,” said Bakenhus. “When I told Symphony Society President Samantha Thomas, she came up with the title for the season of ‘American Mosaic.’ I thought it was a great idea, and we should include something American on every program.
Support for the orchestra is provided through the Friends of the Symphony. Season ticket packages start at $50 for an individual. Those 65 and older can buy two season tickets for $50. Support at the Patron level is $100 for three season tickets and $250 for four season tickets at the Benefactor level. A Gold Underwriter package is available for $500 which includes four season tickets and a one-eighth page ad in the concert program. For $1,000, Platinum Underwriters receive six season tickets, and a one-quarter page program ad.
Tickets can be purchased by mail at Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society, 107 South Drive, PMB No. 113, Natchitoches, LA 71457 or online at https://nnssla.org/. There is an added charge for buying tickets online. For more information, email NSUsymphony@gmail.com.
Symphony concerts will be held in Magale Recital Hall and begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of the “String Day” concert on Feb. 6, which will be at 5:30 p.m.
The 63-member orchestra from Louisiana, Texas, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Virginia, as well as international students from China, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, and Serbia.
Most students are seeking bachelor’s degrees in music or music education or are in the Master of Music program. However, the orchestra also includes majors in addiction studies, biology/pre-med, business administration, computer information systems, elementary education, hospitality management and tourism, liberal arts in the Louisiana Scholars’ College, psychology, secondary education or veterinary technology. This year’s orchestra also includes a student from the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts and Natchitoches Central High School.
The season will open Tuesday, Sept. 22 with “A Celebration of 250 Years of the United States of America” A member appreciation reception will precede the concert from 5:30 p.m. until 7:15 p.m. The concert will be a patriotic tribute celebrating the ideals, courage and history that shaped our nation. It will feature retired music faculty member and former orchestra conductor Richard Rose’s “Celebration Overture,” NSU alumna Nettie Chenevert’s “Dear Enemy Overture” and other favorites including a Salute to the Armed Forces, “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America” with the Cane River Singers.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, a concert titled “American Reflections” will highlight the many voices of America through works of imagination and innovation. NSU Professor of Percussion Dr. Oliver Molina performs Kevin Puts’ “Concerto for Marimba,” alongside music by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Charles Ives, and Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.”
The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony will be part of the 38th Annual Christmas Gala on Dec. 2-4 in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. More than 300 Northwestern State students, faculty and staff in the School of Creative and Performing Arts combine their talents to present the Gala as a kickoff to the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. Large crowds attend the Gala each year which is based on the long-running Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.
Guest conductor Mario Torres will lead the orchestra on Thursday, Feb. 4 in a concert titled “Requiem, Optimism, and A Gift to Be Simple.” The concert will include Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2 “and David Popper’s “Requiem for Three Cellos” with NSU’s Associate Professor of Cello Paul Christopher and distinguished alumni Milovan Paz and Jorge Rodriguez. Also on the program is Copland’s original version of “Appalachian Spring.”
On Saturday, Feb. 6, the orchestra will help celebrate the next generation of musicians at “String Day” as regional middle and high school string students rehearse alongside members of the orchestra before presenting a special public performance at 5:30 p.m.
Winners of the annual NSU Concerto Competition will perform during the Tuesday March 23 concert which will also include pieces by Ravel and Colombian composer Victoriano Valencia.
The season will conclude on Tuesday, April 27, with a performance “Angels of Light, with Courage, and Hope.” The concert includes Dvořák’s beloved “Symphony No. 9, From the New World,” alongside Frank Ticheli’s “Angels in the Architecture,” Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” and Joan Tower’s “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman.”