The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Presents MADE IN THE USA Tonight

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra presents Made in the USA at Ann Arbor's historic Michigan Theater tonight, October 11 at 8:00pm. The A2SO is proud to announce that Made in the USA co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

A2SO welcomes guests: solo violinist Joan Kwuon, the Boychoir of Ann Arbor, the Vocal Arts Ensemble prepared by Ben Cohen and the chorus prepared by Steven Lorenz. Featured pieces include Gershwin's An American in Paris, Bernstein's Chichester Psalms, Barber's Violin Concerto, Op. 14, Daugherty's Route 66. A2SO also announces an All-American bbq dinner before this All-American concert, with food prepared by Zingerman's Roadhouse.

After multiple standing ovations for their opening night concert, the Ann Arbor Symphony celebrates the genius of American composition in this October concert - from Bernstein's affirmative Chichester Psalms to a trip across our great USA with Michael Daugherty, from the the accessibly jazzy American in Paris to the lyric and yet jazzy Barber Violin Concerto. Joan Kwuon, whom the NY Times describes as "fiery, intensely musical and impassioned," made her Tanglewood debut at the invitation of Andre? Previn in 2000, and her recital debut at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall the following season. Her virtuosity and radiant stage presence have been seen and heard on The Today Show, CBS News and National Public Radio.

After studying music worldwide with some of the 20th century's greatest composers, Grammy- winning artist Michael Daugherty now lives in Ann Arbor and teaches composition at the University of Michigan. He has served as the composer in resident for many orchestras including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1999 to 2003. He has won countless awards for his compositions including three Grammy awards in 2007 for his piece "Metropolis Symphony." Audiences last heard the A2SO in Daugherty's moving "Trail of Tears," commissioned by the A2SO and several other leading orchestras.

Before the concert, join us for a Route 66 themed dinner catered by Zingerman's Roadhouse at the Michigan Theater at 5:30 pm and listen to Mr. Daugherty talk about his experiences on the open road and about composing "Route 66." Tickets are $25 dollars per person. RSVP and purchase dinner tickets by calling the office at (734) 994-4801.

Francesco Von Bu?low of the Boychoir will be the featured vocal soloist in Chichester Psalms. The Boychoir of Ann Arbor provides valuable vocal training, sophisticated repertoire and varied performance opportunities for musically gifted boys ages eight to 18 from the greater Ann Arbor area. This is the 6th performance with the A2SO. The Boychoir and A2SO performed together first in 1987 in a celebration concert to open the newly saved Michigan Theater.

The Vocal Arts Ensemble is one of Ann Arbor's premier chamber ensembles, devoted to excellence in a cappella singing. VAE's director, Ben Cohen was the music director of the Zamir Chorale of Metropolitan Detroit for which he was the founding director. He is a proud teacher of choir and drama at Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, where he also directs an annual Shakespeare production, teaches a playwriting class and conducts the annual spring musical.

Steven Lorenz is director of choirs at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School where he directs four curricular choirs, oversees seven extra-curricular choirs, and teaches advanced placement music theory. Mr. Lorenz began working with Measure for Measure in 2003 as its assistant conductor. In 2007 he began serving as music director and conductor. During the summer, Mr. Lorenz is on the conducting faculty at the Interlochen Arts Camp, directing the Intermediate Vocal Arts program.

Tickets are available online at a2so.com, by emailing tickets@a2so.com, or by calling (734) 994- 4801. Single tickets range from $15 to $62, subscriptions start at just $60; Student, Senior, and

Group discounts are available.

The A2SO is a premier regional orchestra offering live symphonic music to over 80,000 patrons of all ages in venues ranging from the historic Michigan Theater and Hill Auditorium as well as schools, daycares, libraries, farmers markets, and various senior citizen centers in the five- county area. For tickets visit a2so.com, email tickets@a2so.com or call (764)994-4801. Single tickets range from $15 to $62, subscriptions start at just $60; Student, Senior, and Group discounts are available. First time subscribers buy one season subscription and get one FREE!

Photo Credit: Lisa-Marie Mazzucco

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