Kenneth Kiesler, conductor
Christine Harada Li, violin, SMTD Concerto Competition winner

Pre-concert lecture at 7:15 PM in the lower lobby.

The University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by its music director Kenneth Kiesler, opens the new season with the dramatic and triumphant music of Beethoven and masterpieces by two of England’s musical giants: the Violin Concerto by Benjamin Britten performed by SMTD Concerto Competition winner Christine Harada Li, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, one of the crown jewels of English music. Closing the concert, will be Jerry Bilik’s Variations on a College Song, which will have its first performance since it was premiered by the New York Philharmonic conducted by Leonard Bernstein in 1987. Bilik, who has written more than a thousand arrangements for the Michigan Marching Band, created a new version of Hail the Victors in the style of composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Stravinsky. It ends with a rousing rendition in the style of Bilik himself, who will be in attendance at the concert. 

PROGRAM: Beethoven- Egmont Overture; Britten- Violin Concerto, Christine Harada Li, violin; Elgar- Enigma Variations; Jerry Bilik-Variations on a College Song (The Victors)