Bundle up for ‘Sinfonia Antartica’

Space Coast Symphony Orchestra concert invokes frozen imagery

(Vero Beach, FL) November 6, 2016 –   As Florida temperatures grow blissfully cooler, Maestro Aaron T. Collins will lead the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in a concert inspired by visions of glaciers and giant ice mountains, when they present Sinfonia Antarctica at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street, 32960.  The program on Saturday, November 19 at 7:00 PM will open with Malcolm Arnold’s rollicking Tam o’ Shanter, based on the Robert Burns poem about the exploits of a hard drinker, and guest conducted by Professor Gareth Pritchard of the Central Florida Brass Band. International soprano, Mary Anne Kruger will then perform Richard Strauss’ powerful Four Last Songs.  Composed in the final year of his life, Strauss’ musical farewell is among history’s most moving compositions, and the culmination of his lifelong love affair with the soprano voice. The concert continues with Vaughan Williams’ magnificent Seventh Symphony, Sinfonia Antartica, a by-product of the composer’s film score for Scott of the Antarctic.  One of the most important composers of the 20th century, Williams’ imagination was captured by the heroic failure of Captain Robert Scott to reach the South Pole; his 1952 five-movement symphony reflects Scott’s awe and changing emotions at the frozen polar landscape.  $20 advance tickets are available through the orchestra website atwww.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust (beachside and mainland branches).  Tickets at the door are $25.  The concert is free for those aged 18 and under or with a student ID.  For more information, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.

For Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director, Aaron T. Collins, Sinfonia Antarctica is an opportunity to work with two respected Central Florida music professionals, in addition to performing a revered masterwork.

“Soprano Mary Anne Kruger has an international reputation and a vast operatic repertoire ,” said Collins.  “We are delighted that she will be joining us to perform the Strauss.  And I’ll be handing my baton over to Professor Pritchard to bring the Robert Burns’ poem to raucous life. Gareth Pritchard is an incredible conductor, composer, arranger and musician. Sinfonia Antarctica is going to be a musical feast for the ears.”

For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2016-17 season or the Symphony for Everyone discount ticket program, please visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

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ABOUT MARY ANNE KRUGER — The American soprano, Mary Anne Kruger, studied voice with Margaret Harshaw and first went to Germany in 1992 when she completed a Master of Music degree at Indiana University.  From 1994 to 2005 Mary Anne Kruger was a member of the opera ensemble at the Hessische Staatstheater Darmstadt where she built a repertoire of over 40 major roles and concerts. She has also guested in over 20 European theaters including the Bayerische Staatsoper- Nationaltheater in Munich, Staatstheater Stuttgart, and Theater Basel.

Mary Anne Kruger’s prizes include a nomination in the category “Best Singer” in the 1997 Opernwelt Jahrbuch for her portrayal of Alcina. She was awarded the role of Donna Elvira in the 1996 Don Giovanniproduction at the Athens Concert Hall directed by Ruggiero Raimondi and conducted by Gustav Kühn. She won the “Sonderpreis der Wiener Staats-und Volksoper” at the 1993 Belvedere Competition, which secured for her a performance as Hanna Glawari (Die Lustige Witwe) at the the Wiener Volksoper. She was also awarded a DAAD scholarship (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdient) to study at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich 1992-1993.  In Mary Anne Kruger’s vast operatic repertoire, the roles of Madama Butterfly, Suor Angelica and Alcina have won her particular acclaim. Her concert repertoire includes the Missa Solemnis and 9th Symphony of L.v. Beethoven, Verdi’s Missa di Requiem, and Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem.

ABOUT PROFESSOR GARETH PRITCHARD —  Gareth Pritchard entered Trinity College of Music, London in 1974 to study Trumpet with Norman Burgess (Principal Trumpet of the BBC Concert Orchestra), Composition with Vera Ayton & Conducting with Bernard Keefe (Assistant Conductor to Sir Georg Solti at Covent Garden Opera) graduating with an LTCL (Teacher’s Diploma) by the 3rd year & being admitted a Fellow of the College FTCL at the end of his 4th year (an unprecedented feat still not surpassed today).   Gareth was the Cornet Solo Champion of Great Britain in both 1977  & 1979.  He has performed regularly as a soloist all over the world & on many radio/tv broadcasts & recordings.  Gareth played Principal Cornet for Parc & Dare, Fairey Engineering, Brodsworth Colliery & GUS/Rigid Containers Bands winning the Granada Band of the Year in 1979 & the British Open in 1979 & 1988.  He played under the influence of many eminent Conductors at this time such as Dennis Carr, Walter Hargreaves, Harry Mortimer, Roy Newsome, Major Peter Parkes & Bram Tovey.    In 1991 Gareth moved to Norway as a full time Freelance Musician and in only seven attempts, he conducted a band to 1st prize at the National Finals there on an unprecedented 4 occasions in 3 different divisions, including the Championship Section with Sandefjord Brass Symposium in 1998.  He also won SIDDIS Brass (the Norwegian “Brass in Concert”) with SBS using 3 of his pieces in their programme.  He is also regularly invited to conduct other Norwegian Championship Section Brass Bands & Professional Military Bands.  He was also a Conductor & Teacher at 10 different School Bands & was the Musical Advisor & Conductor of the Telemark Wind Orchestra & Telemark Summer School from 1996-2005.

Since returning to the UK in 1998, Gareth has been Professional Conductor for Besses o’ th’ Barn, Bodmin Town, BTM, Tongwynlais & St Austell Bands, while also being Musical Director for EYMS, Lewis Merthyr, Woodfalls & YBS Bands.  He has forged himself a reputation over the years of drastically improving & doing extremely well at contests with ‘non-fancied’ bands.  This is especially true in Entertainment Contests where his innovative programmes have resulted in 1st Prizes at Yeovil (twice); 2nd Prizes at Butlins (three times) & Wychavon (once) plus 3rd Prizes at Wychavon (twice).  This success has also transpired at Test Piece Contests with two 1st Prizes at the Senior Cup & numerous other Prize winning performances at The Areas, Grand Shield, Senior Trophy & many local contests from 2nd Section up to Championship Section.   He has conducted many times at major concert halls all over Europe – Royal Albert Hall, London; Symphony Hall, Birmingham; Griehallen, Bergen, Norway; Stavanger Konserthus, Stavanger, Norway; Kulturzentrum Gasteig (Philharmonie), Munich, Germany; Jaarbeurs Congrescentrum, Utrecht, Holland.   His arrangements & compositions are extensively played all over the world & they have also been recorded by Brass & Military Bands both in Norway & the UK.  Gareth is in regular demand as an adjudicator worldwide having adjudicated at many competitions including the Lower Section National Finals of Great Britain, Belgian Nationals, SIDDIS Brass Entertainment Contest in Norway, the Welsh Area, Thameside Open, IBBC, SCABA, Isle of Man Festival & Pontins.  He is a member of the exclusive Association of Brass Band Adjudicators.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability.  The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices.  The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

33-year old Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor. Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” In 2016, Collins won the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County.  Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community.

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performs in several very comfortable venues in Brevard and Indian River counties, with advance general admission tickets priced at just $20.  School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert.

Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only 19 U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. In addition to maintaining the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, the non-profit organization provides numerous separate and free ensemble performances. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.