TSO kicks off 2019 concert season

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra will be kicking off their 2018-2019 season with "Grand Finales" at the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall on Saturday Jan. 19th. 
Photo Courtesy of Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.

The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra has big plans for the Tallahassee community this year.  They have five performances scheduled this year and the first will be Saturday, Jan. 19th at 8 p.m. in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall located at Florida State University.

The performance called the Grand Finales will feature three different portions of performances which include “Dances of Golanta,” “ELGAR Cello Concerto in E Minor,” and “BARTOK Concerto for Orchestra.”

General Manager of TSO, Mary Kelsay, advises students to get their tickets as soon as possible.

“Students are able to receive two free tickets with their student ID’s and on the night of the performance at 7:30 P.M there will be a student rush for $10 tickets,” Kelsay said.

At 6:30 P.M in the Ruby Diamond Concert Hall lobby, musicians, vocalists, fans, and students will have the chance to drink and fellowship with each other and TSO conductor and director Durko Butorac.

Being able to see TSO perform at little to no cost is important to fans like senior interdisciplinary studies major Javier Johnson. He understands how rare opportunities like these are worth taking advantage of.

“This opportunity is amazing because I love music and to be able to meet with the conductor and pick his brain is pretty cool and on top of that it’s free,” Johnson said.

TSO is a group of musicians from all over the country who currently reside in Tallahassee. The orchestra has many working parts to ensure the audience hears a great performance.  The group is community supported which means sponsors, patrons and grants from the City of Tallahassee and Leon County.

Two upcoming performances fans can look forward to are on March 30 called, “Ode to Joy!” and on March 31 called, “Ode to Understanding!” These two have huge surprises for the fans and the Tallahassee community. Collaborations with several major university groups such as the FAMU Concert Choir and the Morehouse Glee Club will be featured.

The next two performances will be April 27 and May 4. The April performance is called “Pops in the Park.” This performance is located at Southwood’s Central Park. The purpose of this performance is to bring in the springtime with music by TSO.

The performance on May 4 called, “Motion & Mood Pictures” will close the season at Ruby Diamond Concert Hall. This performance will have three different parts; the first is “HERMANN Vertigo Suite,” “KORNGOLD Violin Concerto,” and “HOLST the Planets.”