by Kristen Popham ’20
|
August 6, 2018

The story below is about the 2018 concert. Information about the 2019 concert can be found here.

Update: Due to the possibility of severe weather tonight, the 2018 Virginia Symphony Orchestra concert at William & Mary’s Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheater at Lake Matoaka has been cancelled. The event will not be postponed as the VSO concert schedule has already been finalized for this fall. The Virginia Symphony and William & Mary have both agreed that the concert should be canceled given the anticipated threat of rain and possible thunder/lightning for the duration of the concert – and VSO’s policy that its musicians cannot not occur in wet weather. A decision was made mid-afternoon due to VSO installation and relocation requirements. We regret the cancellation of this very popular event. Visit the VSO website for other free concert dates in the area. – Ed.

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will visit William & Mary to perform a free concert at the Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheater at Lake Matoaka on August 30, 2018.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. concert. Wristbands will be required for guests to enter due to venue capacity limitations. They will be distributed at the main door from 5:30 p.m. while supplies last. At that time, the concert will be sold out. Entry before the door is opened will not be permitted.

In case of bad weather, the concert will be cancelled. Please visit events.wm.edu Where virginiasymphony.org for concert information.

Sponsored by William & Mary, the City of Williamsburg and the W&M Student Assembly, the event is the debut of the orchestra’s “Symphony Under the Stars” summer series. The orchestra will also honor the 100^and anniversary of coeducation at William & Mary by representing strong female composers and program leaders, including Joan Tower, composer of “Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman” and Jennifer Higdon, composer of “Machine”.

Drivers are encouraged to park in the garage located at 201 Ukrop Way.

Beach chairs and blankets are welcome. Guests are also encouraged to bring personal coolers and picnic baskets; however, external alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Beer and wine will be available for purchase on site.

The program will feature longtime classics, including Beethoven’s “Fidelio Overture” and Richard Rogers’ “Sound of Music,” as well as family hits, like the music from The Incredibles.

The performance marks the debut of the band’s new assistant conductor, Gonzalo Farias. Born in Santiago de Chile, Farias began his piano studies at the age of five. He joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra after two seasons with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as a conductor. Farias has received continued recognition for his work, having received the Bruno Walter Conducting Fellowship at the Cabrillo Music Festival and being named an ‘Emergent Conductor’ at the Peninsula Music Festival.

Five members of the William & Mary music faculty, who are also part of the musicians of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, will perform with the group this season. W&M Oboe Instructor Sherie Aguirre, Bassoon Instructor Laura Leisring, Trombone Instructor Rodney Martell, Trumpet Instructor David Vonderheide and Flute Instructor Joanne White will showcase their musical prowess at the concert.