Loudoun Symphony Gives Ashburn “Kennedy Center Experience”

Ashburn is fortunate to be home to a spectacular arts program that is literally music to the ears of many local residents.

The Loudoun Symphony opens its 21st season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at the , located at the on Ashburn Road.

Music Director and Conductor Mark Allen McCoy will direct the 60-member orchestra, which features Phil Munds, Principal Horn with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The concert includes Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Strauss’ Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, op. 11, Milhaund’s Le Boeuf sur le Toit, op.58 and Hindermith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber.

Ara H. Bagdarsarian, president of the symphony’s Board of Directors, spoke with excitement about the season ahead.

“This season is the second year in our new concert hall at the Community Church,” Bagdarsarian said. “We are ready to offer an incredible season with familiar classics such as William Tell Overture to an inspiring holiday concert in December, and a live performance of the winning work of the American Composers competition in March.”

The symphony continues to attract people of all ages.

“Attendance has been increasing over the past several years,” Bagdarsarian said. “The largest increase was this past season when our concerts were hosted at the Virginia Academy/Community Church.”

A family concert, “Space and Beyond,” is planned for Feb. 19 and will feature music from Star Wars, Star Trek and E.T.

“The music repertoire is selected by the music director and artistic committee each season," Bagdarsarian said. "It is influenced by suggestions from our audience, board members and any possible significant events or celebrations during the season. We also incorporate music that most of the audience is familiar with.”

While the symphony receives strong support from individuals, he said they are always in need of sponsorships from the business community.

“When you combine this incredible musicianship with a world-class maestro, and performances in a spectacular concert venue, we are delivering a Kennedy Center experience right here in the heart of Loudoun County,” Bagdarsarian said.

The Loudoun Symphony will present four full orchestra concerts in the concert hall in Ashburn and chamber concerts at the Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville. Tickets can be purchased at 703-771-8287 or online at www.loudounsymphony.org. Adult tickets cost $22, seniors $18, students $10 in advance or $25, $20 and $15, respectively, at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Subscriptions offering savings of 45 percent over the single ticket door price are available by telephone or on the website. Group discounts are available in blocks of 10 tickets or more.

The full concert schedule includes:

• Nov. 20 – Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Chamber Concert at 3 p.m. at the Franklin Park Arts Center in Purcellville. A pre-concert lecture with the Maestro Mark Allen McCoy begins at 2:30 p.m.
• Dec. 10 – Holiday Spectacular full orchestra concert begin at 7:30 at the Virginia Academy. The program includes Hovhaness’ Prayer of St. Gregory, Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, Handel’s Selections from ‘Messiah,’ Stephenson’s Holiday Overture, Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major, Beck’s Lullaby, Stephenson’s Winter Wonderland, Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, Holcombe’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and Finnegan’s Christmas Singalong.
• Feb. 18 – Orbital Sciences Presents Space & Beyond Family Concert at 4 p.m. at the Virginia Academy. The full orchestra concert will feature narration by Don O’Brien and musical selections include Strauss’ 2001: A Space Odyssey, Holst’s Mars from ‘The Planets,’ Dorff’s Blast off!, Moss’ Apollo 13 Selections, Custer’s Star Trek through the Years, Williams Music from E.T., and Star Wars Medley.
• March 24, 2012 – Fantasy and Romance full orchestra concert features guest composer Mark Edwards Wilson. Musical selections include Wilson’s The Phoenix, which is an American Composer Competition winner and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4 in E-flat Major, ‘Romantic.’
• April 29, 2012 – Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Chamber Concert returns to Franklin Park Arts Center at 3 p.m. A pre-concert lecture with the Maestro with Mark Allen McCoy begins at 2:30 p.m.