The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, Sergio Espinosa, conductor, continues its 28th annual “Sundays at the Symphony” season at 3:30 p.m. February 7 with a “feast” of classic orchestral overtures, topped off by Beethoven’s light-hearted Symphony No. 8. The concert will be in the Irving Arts Center’s Carpenter Hall.
In addition, the orchestra will present its annual Grace Note awards, honoring groups that are doing something exceptional for music in the area. This year, the awards go to nationally-known area choral groups who have brought the best in choral music of all types to north Texas since the 1950s.
The 2016 awards go to the Dallas Opera Chorus, performing with the opera since 1957; the Dallas Symphony Chorus, which dates its beginnings to early 1977; the Turtle Creek Chorale, performing in the area since 1980; the Dallas Bach Society chorus, formed in 1982; and the Orpheus Chamber Singers, performing since 1994.
Invited to represent these groups and receive their awards are conductors and choral directors Alexander Rom, Dallas Opera Chorus; Joshua Habermann, Dallas Symphony Chorus; Don Krehbiel, Orpheus Chamber Singers; James Richman, Dallas Bach Society; and general manager for the Turtle Creek Chorale, Bruce Jaster.
NPOI has presented its Grace Note Awards since 2009.
Along with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8, the concert includes Tschaikovsky’s “Slavic March,” Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture,” Schostakovich’s “Festive Overture” and the overture to Verdi’s opera, Nabucco.
Dr. Espinosa is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Arlington. A specialist in string music education, he has given workshops and presentations throughout the United States, Canada, China and Australia. He also serves as Senior Music Examiner for the International Baccalaureate organization in Wales, United Kingdom.
The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving is a community orchestra, consisting of trained musicians who choose to continue to play their instruments while they serve in other professions: teaching, accounting, film-making and others. NPOI has performed for audiences in Irving, Euless, Dallas and throughout the Metroplex.
For ticket information or reservations, call the IAC box office at 972-252-2787, or go to www.IrvingArtsCenter.com.
General admission tickets to NPOI concerts range from $10 to $18. The orchestra is offering a three-ticket Flex Pass to finish out the season: Tickets to this concert, plus concerts on April 3 and May 15, are priced at $20 for students, $30 for seniors, and $40 for adults, representing a savings of 33 1/3% over single ticket prices.
Further information about NPOI, including full program notes for the February 7 concert, can be found on the orchestra’s Web site at www.npoirving.com.
This concert season is supported in part by the City of Irving through the Irving Arts Board.