The Vermont Symphony Orchestra brings innovative and world-class musical events to communities across Vermont this spring.
The VSO opens its spring season with a statewide tour of the VSO Jukebox Quartet, featuring guest youth string quartet players in four Vermont communities. Then, it’s back to the Flynn in Burlington on March 26 for a Classical Series concert conducted by VSO Music Director candidate Tania Miller. The concert is headlined by world-renowned pianist Stephen Hough performing one of the most technically challenging compositions in the piano repertoire: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3. In April, the VSO presents a first-of-its-kind program, Visualizer Orchestra, bringing together the power of visual storytelling and light projections with evocative classical music performance. The VSO’s spring season ends in May in Burlington and Rutland, with the return of the VSO Chorus in concerts including the VSO’s brass and percussion musicians and two locally acclaimed organists.
March 2022: Jukebox Quartet Statewide Tour
In March, the VSO Jukebox Quartet embarks on a statewide tour, traveling to Waitsfield (March 10, location to be determined), ArtsRiot in Burlington (March 11), the Hosmer Center for the Arts in St. Johnsbury (March 12), and the Bennington Performing Arts Center (March 13). The VSO is shaking things up and swopping two string players with two percussionists for a new, whirlwind take on Jukebox. Violinist Brooke Quiggins and cellist John Dunlop are joined by percussionists D. Thomas Toner and Nicola Cannizzaro for a singular musical experience, curated by VSO Artistic Advisor and Project Conductor Matt LaRocca. The Jukebox Quartet is joined by different groups of young string players in each community for an exciting series of concerts with music by Philip Glass, Jessie Montgomery, Andy Akiho, and more.
Sponsored by the Northfield Savings Bank VSO Innovation Fund, with support in Bennington from the Vermont Arts Exchange.
March 2022: Classical Series featuring Stephen Hough, Conducted by Tania Miller
The VSO welcomes its third Music Director candidate, conductor Tania Miller, to the Flynn in Burlington for an evening of exemplary music-making on March 26. The concert opens with Sri Lankan-born composer Dinuk Wijeratne, described as “exuberantly creative” by The New York Times, and his explosive work titled Yatra (“pilgrimage”). Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1, composed early in his career, completes the first half of the concert and is testament to Finland’s undisputed musical voice and poet. After intermission, acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough gives his first-ever performance with the VSO in with one of the most technically challenging compositions of the pianistic repertoire: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
The VSO will debut a special experience at the concert: up to four ticket holders will win the opportunity to sit with the orchestra during their performance of the Sibelius. This one-of-a-kind experience immerses audience members in the music-making process.
Hough will present a free masterclass for four young piano students on March 25 at All Souls Interfaith Gathering in Shelburne. The masterclass will be open to the public.
Sponsored by Physician’s Computer Company and Northeast Delta Dental. Stephen Hough’s appearance is generously supported by the Tapia Family.
April 2022: Visualizer Orchestra
The VSO has partnered with Dallas-based Lightware Labs to create a dynamic, multisensory musical event with a 40-piece orchestra. Drawing on the technology of using light and image to “map” projections onto a surface, stage screens are turned into animated works of art that accompany an hour of intense, emotional music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mendelssohn, Samuel Barber, Su Lian Tan, and more. Antoine T. Clark and Matt LaRocca, VSO Artistic Advisor and Project Conductor, will split conducting duties at performances at the Paramount Theatre in Rutland (April 29) and at the Double E Performance Center in Essex Junction (April 30).
Sponsored by the Northfield Savings Bank VSO Innovation Fund and Physician’s Computer Company.
May 2022: VSO Chorus Returns
The VSO Chorus returns in full song with two concerts centered around John Rutter’s splendid three-movement piece Gloria, composed for chorus, brass and organ. Performances take place at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington (May 20), and Grace Church in Rutland (May 21). The VSO Chorus and instrumentalists will be joined by organists Mark Howe (Burlington) and Alastair Stout (Rutland) and conducted by widely acclaimed choral director José Daniel Flores-Caraballo. These one-hour concerts also feature brass and percussion ensemble music, followed by choral and organ works by Bach, Moses Hogan, Robert Harris and more, highlighting the vibrancy and range of the musical voice.
Sponsored in part by the Robert De Cormier Fund.
A Note on COVID-19 Protocols for the VSO
All VSO contracted musicians, staff, guest artists, and venue technical crew and staff where the VSO performs are working under a COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandate.
For more information on specific COVID protocols at each venue, concert details and tickets, please visit www.vso.org/events. If you are interested in donating, please visit www.vso.org/donate.