Fremont Symphony Orchestra to Celebrate 50 Years with Concert, 3/30

The exciting 50th Season continues! The October Unity Concert kicked off the themes of diversity and unity, and now the orchestra concentrates on A Celebration of Fremont, which will be presented by the Fremont Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 30, at 7 pm at Smith Center, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Boulevard in Fremont. FSO will evoke Fremont then and now through a selection of musical vignettes representing both the community's history and the current energy of its citizens.

The performance will begin with silent film pianist extraordinaire Jon Mirsalis paying homage to the beginnings of the film industry in Niles with Son of a Gun starring Broncho Billy. Next, the Niles Canyon connection to the intercontinental railroad will be honored with Strauss's lively polka Bahn Frei ("Clear the Track").

FSO's commitment to youth and artistic education will be represented by cellist Connor Kim, winner of FSO's 2012 Young Artist Competition, playing Antonin Dvorak's gorgeous Cello Concerto. Musical Visions, a multi-media presentation, will celebrate 40 years of FSO's Children's Concerts with the Fremont Unified School District, showcasing not only original compositions from the winners of FSO's 2013 Young Composer Competition, arranged by Emmy-Award-winning composer Jeff Beal (Monk, House of Cards, etc.) but also the corresponding film creations of Fremont 6th-graders, edited by professional videographer Jeremy Knight.

Finally, the symphony will segue into Aaron Copland's 20th century American masterpiece, Billy the Kid. Dancers from Diablo Ballet will perform the famous Sweetheart pas de deux from the ballet.

"It is extraordinary that Fremont has been home to a world-class symphony orchestra, now in its 50th season," says FSO Music Director and Conductor Gregory Van Sudmeier. "The March 30 performance is a celebration of our Golden Anniversary and is a strong testament to the heart and soul a symphony brings to this community. It is also dedicated to the people of the Tri-Cities and their history. We are in this together and for each other."

Also in March, FSO continues its long tradition of free Children's Concerts, providing an opportunity for several thousand school-age students in the community to hear live symphonic music. On Tuesday, March 25, concerts for 4th-, 5th- and 6th-grade students will be performed at Ohlone College's Epler Gymnasium. The concerts will feature compositions by local elementary school students, selected from submissions to this year's Young Composer Competition. Also featured will be a guest appearance by one of the winners of FSO's annual Young Artist Competition.

The concert will be held at Smith Center at Ohlone College on Sunday, March 30 at 7 pm. Tickets are $49 and $45 for adults, $15 for students. Tickets may be purchased through the box office at 510-371-4859 or 877-938-9240 Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM or online at www.fremontsymphony.org.

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