The Jacksonville Symphony presents “A Journey Through Symphonic Americana” on Feb. 6 and 7, led by Thomas Wilkins. As part of the Symphony in 60 and Coffee Series, there will be a one-hour concert Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. in Jacoby Symphony Hall.
Wilkins is principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; the Boston Symphony’s artistic partner for education and community engagement; and principal guest conductor of the Virginia Symphony. He holds Indiana University’s Henry A. Upper Chair of Orchestral Conducting, established by the late Barbara and David Jacobs as a part of that university’s Matching the Promise Campaign.
Wilkins has received many awards and has led orchestras throughout the United States, including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and many others.
“It’s always a tremendous pleasure to work with the Jacksonville Symphony,” said Wilkins. “During my first visit a few seasons ago, I fell in love with them as artists and people, almost immediately. Now to return to this glorious concert hall, with this rich kaleidoscope of American music will be yet another delicious treat.”
The American pieces featured in this program include George Whitefield Chadwick’s Finale from Symphony No. 3, Morton Gould’s “American Symphonette No. 2,” Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite” and Leonard Bernstein’s Overture from “West Side Story.”
On Thursday, part of the Symphony in 60 Series, sponsored by PNC, the musicians and conductor will be cast onto the big screen adding an engaging digital aspect to the performance. These Thursday evening concerts also have a signature cocktail, “The French Horn 75,” and a designated hour to network before the concert.
The Coffee Series is a matinee series which provides coffee, tea and cookies an hour before. The programming ranges from classical to pops and is very popular as an added time slot for guests.
Tickets are available at JaxSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 904-354-5547.
