arts & entertainment

Conductor Michael Hall will travel from Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia in time to guest conduct the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra during Folk Music Festival on Sunday, April 27 at 3:00 PM. The concert at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street in Vero Beach, will feature five exciting works from around the world, showcasing classical masterpieces inspired by rich folk traditions.

Maestro Hall will open the program with four of Dvorak’s famed Slavonic Dances (Opus 46).  Evoking the Bohemian spirit with the patterns and structures of traditional folk dances, Dvorak’s reputation as a composer skyrocketed with the publication of Slavonic Dances. Native American folk songs will be highlighted in Song Catcher, a new work from Mark Piszczek. Folk Music Festival is rounded out with popular works from around the globe, including “Four Dance Episodes” from Aaron Copland’s exciting Rodeo and Percy Grainger’s gorgeous “Irish Tune from County Derry,” better known to American audiences as the ballad, “Danny Boy.” The lively Dances of Galánta by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály, with traditional folk melodies from the composer’s home region will close the program. $35 tickets for Folk Music Festival are available through the orchestra website at www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org or at Marine Bank & Trust, beachside and mainland branches. Tickets at the door are $40. Concertgoers aged 18 and under or with a college ID are admitted free to every SCSO concert. For more information about Folk Music Festival, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.   

Guest Conductor Michael Hall is the Music Director of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia, as well as the Music Director of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania. He is the Principal Guest Conductor of Central Florida’s Space Coast Symphony. While Hall is in Florida, Aaron Collins, Conductor and Artistic Director for the SCSO, is himself guest conducting the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s always a joy to return to Florida and collaborate with the incredible musicians of the Space Coast Symphony, especially for a concert like this,” said Hall. “Folk music reveals who we are, and where we come from. These composers grounded their works in national identity and preserved folk traditions that we can enjoy today, just dressed up a bit for the concert hall.”  

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 2024-25 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT MICHAEL HALL, Guest Conductor — Maestro Hall has been Music Director of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra beginning with the 2017-2018 season. He continues as Music Director of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania and Principal Guest Conductor of the Space Coast Symphony in Florida. Previously, Hall has held the position of Music Director of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Pacific Symphony in California, Resident Conductor of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and Assistant Conductor of the Havant Symphony Orchestra in the UK.

Hall has appeared with many of today’s leading ensembles, including the Houston Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Vancouver Symphony, the Louisiana Philharmonic, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Costa Rica, the Toledo Symphony, the Windsor Symphony, the Okanagan Symphony, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. He has a special relationship with the Tucson Symphony where he has been a frequent guest conductor in multiple concert series over the past nine seasons.

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.