The UMW Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Director Kevin Bartram, has two dynamic productions in store this month on back-to-back Saturdays.
The first, a gala concert featuring legendary trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, will take place on March 17. The second, a “Concert of Hope,” benefiting Loisannn’s Hope House and featuring singer and artist Deborah Silver, will be held on March 24. Both are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Dodd Auditorium.
The March 17 show will feature works from the Philharmonic’s nationally renowned research project, “Unearthing America’s Musical Treasures.” Led by Bartram and joined by collegiate orchestras from across the country, the project has uncovered symphonic masterworks at the Library of Congress, most of which were last performed more than a century ago and are unknown to modern audiences.
“They have been lost to time,” Bartram said of the numbers, several of which the Philharmoic performed at last month’s national conference of the College Orchestra Directors Association in Los Angeles. “These are all worthwhile works that deserve a second chance.”
Ten-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval will play one of the works – America’s earliest trumpet concerto, written in 1834 by American composer A.P. Heinrich. Sandoval’s own never-recorded concerto for trumpet and orchestra is also on the program.
“We’re so excited to have one of the great trumpet players in the world share these historic works with us,” Bartram said of the program, which rounds out with the Suite from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
During the March 24 “Concert of Hope,” the orchestra will be joined by vocalist and actress Deborah Silver, whose talents have been featured on the stages of theater, television and film. Silver’s performances blend the popular American standards with jazz, blues, country and Broadway classics. Her 2016 album, The Gold Standards, debuted at No. 1 on two billboard charts, and her music is played on jazz and easy-listening stations across the country.
The Fredericksburg “Concert of Hope” brings Silver back to her husband’s hometown to support Loisann’s Hope House, which moves families from homelessness to housing. Established more than 30 years ago and named for Silver’s late sister-in-law, social worker and Fredericksburg native Loisann Silver Chacon, it’s the region’s first and largest family homeless shelter.
“We’re excited to throw our support behind this great cause,” Bartram said of the concert, which will benefit homeless children and families in the Fredericksburg area. “We value their mission and want to help in any way we can.” To inquire about opportunities to sponsor the show, contact Loisann’s Hope House at 540-371-0831.
Tickets – which begin at $25 for the March 17 concert and at $20 for the March 24 concert – are available online to umwphilharmonic.com or by calling 540-654-1324.