Following an acclaimed and celebratory 80th Anniversary, the Brevard Music Center concludes its spectacular season with a grand finale week of performances.
“This season has been truly historic,” said Brevard Music Center President & CEO Mark Weinstein. “Our distinguished faculty and marvelous students have been joined by a dazzling array of guest artists and enthusiastic, acclaimed alumni. Our acoustic renovations to Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium have dramatically improved the sound quality for both our patrons and our musicians. And our audience has swelled in size to exceed 34,000 attendees over our 10-week summer music festival. Clearly the sights and sounds of Brevard continue to inspire our audiences – whether on our lawn, under the stars, or in our grand open-air auditorium by the lake – and we encourage everyone to participate in our joyful season finale of performances.”
BREVARD MUSIC CENTER 80th ANNIVERSARY FINALE WEEK: August 1 – 7, 2016
BMC Artist Faculty IV – August 1
The fourth and final concert by BMC faculty members – including Eric Ohlsson, Elizabeth Hebert, Steve Cohen, Danny Mui, William Ludwig, Rachel Frederiksen, Gabrielle Finck, Joseph Cradler, Jonathan Carney, Jay Christy, Maggie Snyder, Susannah Chapman, and Min Kwon – features Mozart’s Serenade for Winds in E flat major and Rózsa’s Piano Quintet in F minor. The Monday, August 1 concert begins at 7:30 PM at the Porter Center (Brevard College).
BMC Piano Competition Finals – August 2
BMC’s gifted high school and college pianists compete in this compelling finale. The Tuesday, August 2 concert begins at 7:00 PM at the Porter Center (Brevard College).
Brevard Camerata – August 3
Small in size, but big in sound, this chamber orchestra remains a favorite for its thoughtful interpretation of classical and contemporary works. The Wednesday, August 3 concert – featuring works by Tippett, Adams, and Haydn – also spotlights BMC Resident Conductor Ken Lam and BMC faculty member Steve Cohen on clarinet. The music begins at 7:30 PM at the Porter Center (Brevard College).
Some Enchanted Evening – August 4
Brevard’s Janiec Opera Company performs Some Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, a delightful program of classic standards and iconic hits by the team that revolutionized the American musical. The Thursday, August 4 concert begins at 7:30 PM at the Porter Center (Brevard College) and is currently SOLD OUT. Call (828) 862-2105 to be added to the waiting list.
Lockhart Conducts Sibelius – August 5
BMC Artistic Director Keith Lockhart leads the Brevard Concert Orchestra in a performance of Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. – a grand and uplifting masterpiece. The Friday, August 5 concert also features celebrated harpist Ina Zdorovetchi in Ginestera’s magical Harp Concerto, and begins at 7:30 PM at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.
The Firebird Suite – August 6
On Saturday, August 6 at 7:30 PM at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, BMC Resident Conductor Ken Lam takes the stage with the Brevard Sinfonia in a program of Russian masterworks including Stravinsky’s magnificent The Firebird Suite. Internationally acclaimed pianist and BMC faculty member Min Kwon joins Maestro Lam in Rachmaninoff’s captivating Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
Season Finale: Beethoven 9 – August 7
Brevard’s 80th Anniversary season rounds out with a triumphant performance of Beethoven 9, conducted by Brevard Music Center Artistic Director Keith Lockhart and performed by the Brevard Music Center Orchestra. This performance brings four Brevard alumni to the stage – soprano Sydney Mancasola, alto Michele Bogdanowicz, tenor Keith Jameson, and bass Reginald Smith, Jr. – and a rousing ensemble chorus of over 150 BMC students and singers from throughout the community. BMC’s Season Finale begins at 3:00 PM on Sunday, August 7 at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium.
“Beethoven 9 is an extraordinary work. It is the culminating statement of one of the greatest musicians of all time, and its message of peace and universal brotherhood is perhaps more important today than it was at the time of its composition,” said Lockhart. “Because we will involve many members of our campus community in the chorus…including pianists, composers, and members of our opera company…it is an opportunity for the entire Brevard community to join together. Also, because all four soloists on the stage will be Brevard alumni, it is a perfect way to conclude our ‘Year of the Alumni.’”
Skyland Automotive is the Lead Sponsor of the Beethoven 9 concert.
BMC Presents: Gillian Welch – August 19
Each season, Brevard Music Center presents a special BMC Presents series of non-classical concerts featuring a range of musical styles including blues, jazz, pops, gospel, blue grass, progressive folk, and more. In 2016, the BMC Presents concert series featured Bettye LaVette, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Amy Grant, Béla Fleck, Abigail Washburn, The Rance Allen Group, and Harpeth Rising, among other noted artists.
On August 19 at 8:00 PM, BMC Presents proudly features a very special Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium performance by Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Gillian Welch. Welch, along with partner and collaborator Dave Rawlings, blends bluegrass, Americana, and Appalachian roots music to create a singular and unforgettable sound. BMC Presents: Gillian Welch in Concert is presented in collaboration with Mountain Song Productions.
Ticket Information
Tickets to Brevard Music Center’s Summer Festival start at $15. Excluding BMC Presents performances, lawn seating is free for children under 17 (with a paying adult) and students 18 and older (with a valid ID). All guest artists, programs, and dates are subject to change.
The BMC Box Office is open for single ticket sales throughout the remainder of the summer season, with limited hours from August 8 through August 19. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Box Office at 349 Andante Lane (Brevard, NC), call (828) 862-2105, or order seats online at brevardmusic.org. Group discounts are available.
2016 BMC Mercedes Raffle
One of the best seats in the house this season will be extended to the winner of BMC’s annual Mercedes-Benz raffle. This year’s winner – who will be chosen at the August 7th Beethoven 9 performance – can choose from ANY model of 2016 Mercedes-Benz from Skyland Automotive (Asheville) with a base MSRP up to $50,000. Each season, only 1500 tickets are sold and all proceeds benefit BMC student scholarships. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at all BMC performances, by calling (828) 862-2138, or by visiting www.brevardmusic.org/support/raffle.