arts & entertainment

John Williams. Leonard Bernstein. George Gershwin. Kenneth Fuchs— these American composers have all helped shape the American musical landscape. Now, some of their finest contributions will be heard when the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents, Made in America: Side by Side on Sunday, May 24 at 3:00 PM.

The concert at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th Street in Vero Beach, will open with the return of Brazilian-American pianist, Alessandro da Fonseca, in a performance of George Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody for piano and orchestra. Jazzy and engaging, the Gershwin work captures the vibrant pulse of early 20th-century America. Grammy-winning composer Kenneth Fuchs, one of today’s most distinctive American symphonic voices, is expected to be in attendance for the Southeast U.S. premiere of his Quiet in the Land, a Poem for Orchestra. Select youth musicians from around Central Florida will perform side-by-side on the second half of the program with their professional SCSO counterparts, bringing the total number of players onstage to over 100. Guest conductor, Frederick Blanchard will lead the combined orchestra during John Williams’ “Summon the Heroes,” a one-movement triumphant fanfare written for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Aaron Collins retakes the baton for Leonard Bernstein’s iconic Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, a 20-minute concert suite that merges Broadway energy with orchestral sophistication. 

Bernstein’s music brings the concert—and the orchestra’s 17^th Season—to a close, celebrating both American music and its next generation of performers. $35 tickets for Made in America: Side by Side 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 Made in America: Side by Side, call toll free to 855-252-7276 or visit www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org.   

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra has led the way in providing performance opportunities for talented youth musicians. Each season, select students are invited to participate in the SCSO’s Mentorship program, giving them the unique opportunity to perform alongside their professional counterparts on designated concerts. The large, annual “side by side” concert is always a highlight for Aaron T. Collins, Space Coast Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Artistic Director –and a perfect way to illustrate the importance of youth mentorship.

“Performances like these give students something they cannot get from practice alone: human connection, artistic lineage, and a model for what a musical life can look like,” said Maestro Collins. “Mentoring young musicians, composers and conductors is a key part of our mission, and helps ensure the future of this art form we all love.”  

The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra is one of only a handful of U.S. orchestras to perform year-round. Their Season 18 lineup was announced in early May, with the opening performance scheduled for June 20 & 21 by the SCSO Jazz Orchestra: Sinatra & the Wonderful World of Oz. 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 2026-27 season or the Symphony for Everyone ticket program, visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org or call toll-free (855) 252-7276.

ABOUT KENNETH FUCHS – Kenneth Fuchs is a Grammy Award–winning American composer celebrated for his lyrical orchestral voice and acclaimed collaborations with major ensembles, especially the London Symphony Orchestra. A leading figure in contemporary classical music, Fuchs has written extensively for orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, and voice, earning international praise for his vibrant color and expressive clarity. His long-running partnership with conductor JoAnn Falletta has produced multiple award‑winning recordings, including the 2018 Grammy‑winning Piano Concerto “Spiritualist”. Fuchs is Professor of Music Composition at the University of Connecticut, and his recent albums—Cloud Slant and Light Year—continue to expand his reputation as one of today’s most distinctive American symphonic voices.

ABOUT DR. ALLESSANDRO FONSECA — Dr. Alessandro Fonseca is a Brazilian‑American pianist recognized for his expressive artistry, technical brilliance, and award‑winning performances across the U.S., Brazil, and Europe. A native of Minas Gerais, Brazil, he holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Oregon and is a past winner of the university’s Concerto Competition. His honors include First Prize at the Vienna Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition and top awards in major Brazilian competitions. Dr. Fonseca, formerly a piano instructor at Daytona State College, was recently appointed Piano Professor at Mississippi Valley State University, where he will begin his tenure this fall while continuing his active career as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist.

ABOUT FREDERICK BLANCHARD –

Frederick Blanchard is an emerging Florida‑based conductor and educator active in orchestral, choral, and percussion settings. He directs the orchestras at University High School and Galaxy Middle School, serves as Assistant Director of Percussion at Ocoee High School, and is Music Director at Hope Lutheran Church in The Villages. Recently accepted into the Varna International Music Academy, he is expanding his training in opera, musical theatre, and orchestral conducting with faculty from leading international institutions. A committed music educator, he also adjudicates for the Florida Orchestra Association Solo & Ensemble Festival. Blanchard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Rollins College, where he studied conducting, percussion, composition, theory, and voice.

ABOUT THE SPACE COAST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA— The SCSO is a lively and passionate Central Florida orchestra comprised fully of professional musicians and music educators from throughout the Sunshine State. Many of its musicians also perform with other prestigious orchestras in Florida and the United States. Each season, select students are invited to participate in the SCSO’s Mentorship program, giving them the unique opportunity to perform alongside their professional counterparts on designated concerts. The Orchestra was formed by Conductor and Artistic Director Aaron T. Collins with a simple mission: to provide year-round 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. The SCSO is dedicated to supporting the work of living composers and shining a light on new music. By performing and commissioning today’s brightest composers, the SCSO brings fresh, exhilarating sounds to life in the concert hall. Roughly thirty percent of all SCSO performances include a work by living composers, many of whom call Florida home. The SCSO actively promotes diversity by programming works by composers who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Since 2009, the SCSO has presented dozens of World Premieres and Southeastern U.S. Premieres.  

Aaron T. Collins continues to garner 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 (855) 252-7276.