For the second year in a row, the Jacksonville Symphony will provide free community concerts to the residents of Northeast Florida. Plans call for three free concerts in October to celebrate the 2016-2017 season opening.
“Our goal is to reach more of North Florida,” Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra President and CEO Robert Massey said. “Last year, we entertained more than 201,000 people. We continue to seek out community venues to reach more residents and allow everyone to experience the symphony.”
The Mayo Clinic Community Concert Series will be held Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach; Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. at the Times-Union Center’s Jacoby Symphony Hall; and Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church in Jacksonville.
Music on the program for the concerts includes Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 along with Antonín Dvořák’s “Carnival Overture” and Igor Stravinsky’s Orchestra Suites No. 2 for small orchestras.
Music Director Courtney Lewis will lead the orchestra at each appearance.
“I’m excited about bringing the symphony to more venues in North Florida,” Lewis said. “Our appearance at Bethel Baptist Institutional Church is a ‘first’ for the orchestra. We know that when we share our music with people, they become more interested in attending and supporting the symphony.”
The symphony is planning a second week of free community concerts in spring 2017.
