arts & entertainment

While other musical groups rest during the hottest part of the year, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will kick their 15th Anniversary Season into high gear with Rite of Spring in Summer on Sunday, July 23 at 3:00 PM, at the Community Church of Vero Beach, 1901 23rd Street. 

A legendary, avant-garde ballet score, The Rite of Spring shocked audiences into a frenzy at its 1913 Paris premiere, creating musical tremors still felt today. For the full experience of Igor Stravinsky’s powerful masterwork, Conductor Aaron T. Collins will unleash a gigantic 88-piece orchestra upon concertgoers. Although written as a work for the stage, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring has achieved wider recognition as a concert piece and was hailed by Leonard Bernstein as “the most important piece of music of the 20th century.” Rounding out the concert is a symphonic work from the touching 1995 film, Mr. Holland’s Opus, as well as a Saxophone Concerto, performed by the SCSO’s Andrew Cleaver. Both compositions are from the pen of Grammy-winning composer, Michael Kamen. $30 tickets for Rite of Spring in Summer are available through the orchestra website www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $35. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about Rite of Spring in Summer, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.   

Witty Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director, Aaron T. Collins attempts to prepare the audience for Rite of Spring in Summer.

“Stravinsky’s rhythmic music and Nijinsky’s choreography caused a complete uproar at the Rite of Spring premier,” said Collins. “We’re not expecting a rampage during our performance, but just in case, we’ll be checking for rotten tomatoes at the door.”  

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about the Space Coast Symphony 2023-24 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised of professional musicians, music educators and mentored amateurs of exceptional ability. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a two-fold mission: to provide mentoring and performance opportunities for Florida’s finest young musicians as well as to provide professional concerts at genuinely affordable prices. The ultimate goal of the organization is to help ensure the symphonic tradition for the enjoyment of future generations.

Aaron T. Collins is garnering recognition for his achievements.  LEAD Brevard named the ambitious Collins one of their “4 under 40” Young Professionals, the youngest-ever recipient of the honor.  Space Coast Business magazine listed him as one of Brevard’s “100 Most Admired Businesspeople.” Collins is a past recipient of the Richard A. Stark Award for cultural leadership from the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Through his personal involvement with more than a dozen performing arts groups, pioneering reciprocal ad program and social media cross promotions, Collins has gained a reputation for generosity; championing other arts organizations throughout Central Florida for the cultural enrichment of the community. 

School-aged children 18 years and under are admitted free of charge, as are college students with a valid ID.  In keeping with their mission, the symphony provides a unique Symphony for Everyone ticketing program, a “pay-what-you-can” option designed to provide substantially discounted admission to any Space Coast Symphony concert. Relying on a non-traditional orchestra model and a slim budget, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. The nonprofit organization also maintains the Space Coast Symphony JAZZ Orchestra and the Space Coast Symphony Wind Orchestra, with several free performances each year. More information about the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming concerts, ticket sales, venues, directions and sponsorship opportunities is available at SpaceCoastSymphony.org by calling toll free (855) 252-7276.