September 25, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joanna Moomaw Friends of Music, 304-876-5765
The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, the Eastern Panhandle's very own professional chamber orchestra, will be presenting a concert of American composers to open the Friends of Music Concert Series on Saturday, October 17th at 8:00 p.m. in the Frank Arts Center Theater on the campus of Shepherd University. Now in its third season, the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra has received wide critical acclaim performing staples of the classical chamber orchestra repertoire as well as new and unusual works. The program will feature Symphonic Triptych by Dr. Guy Frank, professor emeritus of Music, who served as the chairman of both the Music Department and the Creative Arts Division during his thirty-four year tenure with Shepherd University from 1950-1984.
Dr. Frank has become a beloved figure in Shepherdstown life and his Symphonic Triptych is a tribute to the town he loved so much and to which he devoted his career. Each of the movements bear a Shepherdstown subtitle including, “Shepherdstown Viva,” “Potomac ?Interlude” and “Millbrook Fair.” “The second movement is one of the most beautiful pieces of music written. I can see the sun on the water as I study the score and am thrilled that one of the two rivers of our orchestra's name is so prominently featured here." says Dr. McCoy, current music department chairman and 2RCO conductor. “It is especially dear to me as I have known Dr. Frank for many years, first ?as his student, then as my mentor, and always as my friend. “Dr. Frank has always been known as a fine concert pianist, an accomplished composer and a great teacher. He was the heart and soul of the music department for over thirty years, and the building that houses the current music program at Shepherd bears his name.”
Also on the program are Leonard Bernstein's Candide, and the East Coast premiere of the hauntingly beautiful Awakenings of Joseph Curiale. After a near-death experience, Curiale penned this ode of thanks and it has since been played throughout the world. This will be the first time the work has ?been played in this part of the US and it is certain to be another highlight of a concert filled with beautiful works. Closing the program are four dances from Aaron Copland's Rodeo, including the famous “Buckaroo Holiday,” the poignant “Corral Nocturne,” ?the “Saturday Night Waltz” and the rousing closer “Hoe-Down.”
The 2RCO is especially proud to make this a side-by-side concert with nearly a dozen Shepherd University music majors in the orchestra next ?to their professors and other professional musicians. “The opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra is a fantastic one, since that is what I am planning on doing with my life. To play professionally with my teacher will be a great learning experience,” says Chris Garten, Senior bassoon major and Friends of Music Fellow. “The 2RCO is a great experience for all of us,” says Dr. McCoy, “our students, our faculty, our professional musician and our community. We are thrilled to take the stage on October 17th.”
On Friday, October 16th, the public is invited to “Lunch with Friends” at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown. The lunch will include a preview and discussion of the 2RCO concert. For tickets to the Two River Chamber Orchestra concert, subscriptions to the Friends of Music Concert Series and more about “Lunch with Fiends” visit www.sufom.org or call the Friends of Music office at 304-876-5765.