Puerto Rican-born composer Angélica Negrón’s genre-defying music transports the listener to another world. American Composer Aaron Copland wrote Lincoln Portrait during the early years of World War II, combining music and spoken word in a groundbreaking way to raise the spirit of our country.
Angélica Negrón What Keeps Me Awake
Aaron Copland Lincoln Portrait, Glenn Beals, narrator
Dmitri Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
Lawrence Loh Finalist, WSO Music Director/Conductor
[Visit Spotify for a preview of this concert.]
This program concludes with what many describe as the pinnacle of 20th century symphonic music. The Fifth Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich pushed the envelope on how overtly avant-garde and exploratory his music could be. In 1936, the Communist Party arrested, imprisoned, or executed thousands of political and cultural figures who didn’t fit their mold. After public criticism, Shostakovich wrote this new symphony in a populist style that pleased everyone, including the critics – likely saving his life. The masterful finale can be interpreted as a glorious military march or through a pane of irony where the artist triumphs over his critics.
To me, this is the epitome of the ability of music to take the listener (or oppressed composer) out of the world in which they live to send a message that words simply cannot.
TFNB Your Bank for Life
The Honorable and Mrs. Lyndon Olson, Jr.
Debra and John Burleson family
McLennan Community College
We encourage our patrons to be comfortable. At the concerts, you will see everything from formal wear to blue jeans. Generally, our audience prefers business or business casual attire.
Learn more about Waco Hall and the WSO’s Health and Safety guidelines, including the clear bag policy and masking protocols.
Ideal for families with children and teens. If you’re purchasing season tickets and want to add one or more student season ticket(s), you can buy them at a 30% discount in any section. Share the joy of classical music with students in your family, foster their love of music, and experience the WSO together.
6:40 p.m.–7:10 p.m. Before each classical Season Concert, learn about the lives of the composers and explore their music at Opening Notes, a free pre-concert talk. These can be enlightening and provide insightful information to enhance your concert experience. Locations to be announced; all within easy walking distance of Waco Hall.
Sponsor: Virginia DuPuy
This concert will be held at Waco Hall on the Baylor University campus.Seating ChartDirections and Parking Construction on I-35 has rerouted traffic through Waco and may cause delays. Please allow yourself extra time to get to Waco Hall.
Before each season concert and the Saturday evening performance of Nutcracker, buses will depart from the Gold’s Gym parking lot on Waco Drive next to El Conquistador Restaurant. Order bus passes early for your preferred departure time! One bus will arrive early in time for you to attend our Opening Notes pre-concert talks. The other departs at 7 pm. Space is limited. Season ticket holders have priority access to bus seats during the renewal period. Bus tickets are available online and are ticketed through Baylor this year, so you can add tickets to your order in one easy transaction. Individual tickets are $12 or $50 for a bus season pass (excludes Nutcracker). For questions, call (254) 754-0851.
Bus partnership provided by Waco Transit System.
Treat yourself to a quick but delicious dinner prior to each Symphony concert. Each participating restaurant will offer either Prix Fixe menu, small plates, or priority services if you make your reservations and state that you will be attending the Symphony. Arrival at the restaurant between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. should have you leaving the restaurant by 7:00 p.m.
See list of participating restaurants.
Glenn Beals, Narrator of Copland’s Lincoln Portrait