COURTESY OF THE CAPE SYMPHONY
Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cape Symphony Jung-Ho Pak.
BARNSTABLE – The theme of the 2015-2016 season of the Cape Symphony is called “Meet Me at the Symphony” and Jung Ho Pak, artistic director and conductor of the symphony, said, audiences are in for a treat.
From classical to pop to country, with movies, Marnie and Mozart, there is something for everyone in eight concerts from now to May.
Pak said he tries to make each season as varied as possible.
“I am a hopeless buffet attendee. I love to try a little bit of everything. I think our audience is very much the same way. Even within a concert, you’ll be in one century and then another century. You’ll be in one genre and then another genre. I think that’s what people like about the symphony is that we just have tremendous variety,” Pak said.
The first concert, “Two,” on September 19 and 20, featured two star soloists and longtime collaborators, Jon Nakamatsu and Jon Manasse.
“That’s a killer way to begin the season,” Pak said.
The next concert is “Just Judy,” a pops concert tribute to Judy Garland. It will be Judy’s story and her music performed by Broadway actress Sarah Uriarte Berry. There are three performances: October 10 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and October 11 at 3 p.m.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal experience. You’re going to feel like you’re really there with Judy Garland,” Pak said.
On November 14 and 15, the concert “Vienna to Hollywood” will feature music from Richard Strauss and also Erich Korngold and the overture from Star Wars by John Williams.
“Holiday on Cape Cod” will be performed six times on December 4, 5, and 6. This year’s popular holiday concert will feature the Annie Moses Band, the Chatham Chorale, and the Eddy Elementary School Select Chorus.
The New Year’s Day Party Concert on January 1 will feature special guest Marnie Nixon.
For the January concert, Pak features a different part of the world every year. This year it is Asia. “The Silk Road and Beyond,” will include influences from China, Japan, and Korea. The concert is January 16 and 17.
“We’ve got these authentic performers performing on authentic Asian instruments. It’s going to be a very exotic, extremely beautiful evening,” Pak said.
On February 20 and 21, “Country Legends,” will feature music from Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson and even contemporary hits.
On April 9 and 10, it’s an all-Mozart concert, Symphony No. 4 “Jupiter,” and soloist Jae Cosmos Lee performing Violin Concerto No. 5.
Pak is finishing the season on May 7 and 8 with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, which Pak calls, “one of the biggest pieces written in terms of popularity.”
Pak said this final concert will be a treat for symphony audiences.
“For people who have been dying and waiting for years for us to do Beethoven’s ‘Ninth,’ this is finally it.”
Pak summed it all up in a phrase: “It’s going to be a great season.”
The symphony continues to work with its partner the Cape Conservatory on education initiatives.
Stephanie Weaver, managing director of the Conservatory, said this fall features programs for every age.
“It’s our dream to put music into the hands of every student on the Cape. With the two organizations together, we’re able to leverage all our strengths and make that happen,” she said.
Weaver said ensuring that the Cape’s students have experiences with music is extremely important.
“We really have a moral responsibility to keep these things alive as the funding becomes thinner and thinner and thinner in the public schools. So we have to be able to maintain access for the kids. It’s critical to just creating great human beings,” she said.
Listen below to hear Jung Ho Pak, artistic director and conductor of the Cape Symphony, and Stephanie Weaver, managing director of the Cape Conservatory, talk about the upcoming season.
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