The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra is going all out for its 2024-25 concert season with the music of Sir Elton John, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Paul McCartney.
Take it from Stefan Sanders, who is in his seventh season as the symphony’s music director.
“Our team put a tremendous amount of thought and work into crafting a season that we believe will resonate deeply within our community and beyond,” Sanders said. “We are thrilled to feature world-renowned guest artists and a diverse array of composers and songwriters, as well as our very own amazing FSO musicians.”
The season kicks off with “Music of the Knights” scheduled for Sept. 21 at the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium on the Fayetteville State University campus.
“’Music of the Knights’ is an orchestral pop show that features the music of Elton John, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Paul McCartney,” said Anna Meyer, executive director for the symphony, circa 1956. “Three Broadway-caliber vocalists will join the orchestra for this performance. Audiences of all ages will enjoy beloved songs such as ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight?’, ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Yesterday.’ We chose this program because our audience feedback forms reflected an interest in hearing the FSO perform popular music from musicals, bands like The Beatles and artists such as Elton John.”
Patrons and longtime FSO supporters told the musicians what they wanted to hear.
“When you give us feedback,” Meyer said, “we listen.”
A sellout performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in the 2023 season had the symphony thinking, too.
“We decided to program another beloved classical masterpiece, Handel’s ‘Water Music Suite,’” Meyer said. “The concert will take place in the beautiful and intimate setting of St. John’s Episcopal Church on Nov. 23.”
Other concerts of the season
Fayetteville’s namesake is part of the 2024-25 season, too.
“2025 marks the 200th anniversary of de Lafayette’s visit to Fayetteville,” Meyer said about Gen. Marquis de Lafayette, the French nobleman who served as a major general in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. “In celebration of this anniversary, we will present a chamber music concert titled ‘Sounds of Lafayette’ featuring music written by French composers.”
Fayetteville was named for de Lafayette in 1783.
The concert is scheduled for Jan. 25 at the downtown First Presbyterian Church. It’s back to the J.W. Seabrook Auditorium on Feb. 22 for “The New World Reimagined.”
“The FSO is commissioning a new concerto by composer Ahmed Al Abaca for premiere,” Meyer said. “Also premiering during this concert is a new work by North Carolina composer Brittany J. Green. Al Abaca’s piece is being written to feature one of our own musicians, Ron Ford. Community members may recognize Dr. Ford from his many appearances as a saxophone player with the FSO Jazz Ensemble or from his regular contributions to our oboe section. Dr. Ford is a uniquely skilled musician, with the ability to play multiple instruments. The new concerto will showcase Dr. Ford’s incredible multi-instrumental abilities. Also included on this program is Dvorak’s beloved New World Symphony.”
Doug Stephens, chairman of the FSO board of directors, is looking forward to “The New World Reimagined.”
“’The New World Reimagined’ concert will include Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, a personal favorite of mine because it just gets better with every listen,” Stephens said. “Some folks claim that the famous ‘Jaws’ theme of John Williams was inspired by this piece. Come listen, so you can decide for yourself.”
Look for “Mallet Madness” at the downtown Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County on March 14-15.
“Our newly appointed assistant conductor, Daniel McCloud, is known throughout the community for his exceptional percussion skills,” Meyer said. “Dr. McCloud will lead an 8-person percussion ensemble for a unique performance. If you like the expressiveness and musicality of drums and percussion, you won’t want to miss this performance.”
The season concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Johann Hummel’s Concerto for Trumpet on April 26 at Seabrook Auditorium.
“Our featured soloist is the esteemed principal trumpeter of the New York Metropolitan Opera, Billy Ray Hunter,” Meyer says. “Also featured on this program is the premiere of a new work by Jessica Meyer titled ‘Turbulent Flames.’”
Epilogue
“This concert lineup was designed specifically for our community and features a mixture of themes to satisfy the wide array of musical offerings,” Meyer says. “We will champion new works by living composers, celebrate beloved classical masterpieces, engage exciting popular music and showcase incredible soloists.”
All concerts, Meyer says, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
A season subscription for all six concerts is $165 for an adult; $129 for seniors (age 65 and over) and military; and $26 for children ages 18 and under. Or you can select a three-ticket offering at $92 for an adult; $73 for seniors (age 65 and over) and military; and $14 for children ages 18 and under. Tickets may be purchased online at www.fayettevillesymphony.org or call (910) 433-4690.
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961 .
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