ALBEMARLE — The oldest operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas will be making a stop in Stanly County this month.
Presented by the Stanly County Arts Council, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform its “How We Got Here: A Journey Through Sound & Time” concert at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle on Sept. 14 at 7:00 p.m.
“This program, specifically curated for our 50th anniversary by resident conductor Christopher James Lees, will have musical selections that everyone will enjoy, from classical to pop,” Renee VanHorn, executive director of the Stanly County Arts Council, said in a press release.
The full-length concert is slated to include selections by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, as well as favorites by Tchaikovsky, John Philip Sousa, Copland, Duke Ellington, and John Williams.
“Everyone should enjoy the majesty of hearing a symphonic orchestra in person,” VanHorn continued. “We are looking forward to the program that resident conductor Christopher James Lees put together for us. We are grateful for the support of the community in welcoming back the Charlotte Symphony to Stanly County.”
General admission tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children and students; reserved seating is also available for $24 but must be purchased in person at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center on Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
“With our mission being ‘to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County,’ we wanted to make sure that everyone would be able to partake in this opportunity,” VanHorn said.
On behalf of Pfeiffer University, Stanly Community College, and various local businesses, Stanly County students (K-12) are eligible to receive a free ticket to the performance when accompanied by a paying adult, while Pfeiffer and SCC students can receive free admission by showing a student ID at the door.
“Our goal was to ensure that ticket prices were not cost-prohibitive,” VanHorn added. “Fortunately, the local business community recognized the importance of this concert previously and again this year. Their generosity ensured that financially we could afford to bring this concert to the local community.”
With 65 professional, full-time musicians, the Charlotte Symphony — founded in 1932 — connects with over 100,000 listeners on an annual basis through concerts, broadcasts, community events, and educational programs.
The symphony recently announced a public rebranding that includes Kwamé Ryan as a new music director and a three-year union contract between the CSO and the American Federation of Musicians. Along with a 13.5% pay raise and expanded work arrangements, the deal includes a provision that could lead to more racial diversity among its musicians.
Tickets for the CSO’s upcoming show in Albemarle are available at stanlycountyartscouncil.org and in person at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, Harris Teeter in Albemarle, and First Bank locations in Albemarle, Locust, Richfield, Mount Pleasant, and Troy.
First Bank — the title sponsor for the event — is joined by Dr. John Kilde of Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat, Uwharrie Bank, NJR Group, Farm Bureau Insurance, and Union Power as financial benefactors for the show, along with grassroots grant funding from the North Carolina Arts Council.