TCC President to narrate section of Virginia Symphony performance at the Roper

Tidewater Community College and Virginia Symphony Orchestra will present a program featuring the quintessential works of the American orchestral repertoire on Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at TCC’s Roper Performing Arts Center.

The program’s repertoire includes “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “Lincoln Portrait” and “Appalachian Spring.” TCC President Edna V. Baehre-Kolovani, will be a special guest and will narrate the inspirational “Lincoln Portrait.”

As one of the most influential 20th-century composers, Aaron Copland forged a uniquely American identity in orchestral music. Inspired by folk songs and jazz, his music often had a very accessible style and rhythmic vitality. His open intervals, slowly progressing harmonies, and songful melodies evoke the vastly open frontier landscapes and the optimistic pioneering spirit of the American West.

As the election of the 45th American president approaches, the VSO program of music pays homage to America’s ancestors and expresses the sentiments of landmark historical speeches, including the Gettysburg Address.

Conductor Benjamin Rous will provide a historical and contextual snapshot of the composer and composition prior to the performance of each piece while concert-goers in specially-priced “tweet seats” can engage in a live tweeting of the performance that will inform them of what to listen for and why in real time.

Tickets prices range from $25 to $50 with specially priced “tweet seats” for $9. Tickets can be purchased by calling 757-892-6366, visiting www.virginiasymphony.org or visiting the Virginia Symphony Box Office at 150 Boush St., Suite 201, Norfolk, Va., 23510 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. For group sales of 10 or more, call 757-466-3047.