Dynamic American conductor and frequent NOI+F guest Andrew Grams reunites with the NOI Philharmonic for a program that contemplates various aspects of the human experience–struggle and suffering, innocence and victory. Written to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the British abolotion of slavery, Mighty River by Belize-born Britisih composer Errollyn Wallen explores the devastating history of slavery. Gospel and spirituals are at the core of the piece, breaking barriers in contemporary classical composition. Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose ballet enters the space of a young child’s vibrant imagination with whimsical instrumentation and a spellbinding atmosphere. Among the most brilliant of his works, Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 is frequently nicknamed his “Pastoral” symphony due to its scenic passages inspired by the serene Austrian village of Pörtschach. The second symphony melds together some of Brahms' most gorgeous melodies with despondent passages in a harmonic struggle that mimics the composer's own internal fight.

The National Orchestral Institute + Festival, a program of the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, trains aspiring orchestral musicians, composers, conductors and arts administrators from across the country in a month of dynamic music-making and professional exploration at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Musicians are chosen through a rigorous, cross-country audition process. Every year, these young artists present passionate and awe-inspiring performances of adventuresome repertoire at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

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Program:

Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River

Maurice Ravel: Mother Goose, Complete Ballet

Johannes Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73