YOUR RPO OCTOBER: THE DEBUT OF ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR JHERRARD HARDEMAN

October 1, 2023

YOUR RPO OCTOBER:

THE DEBUT OF ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR JHERRARD HARDEMAN

The month’s highlights also include ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert!’ ‘Andreas Conducts Mahler,’ and the return of former RPO Music Director David Zinman

Rochester, NY – This week, your Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off October with four FREE concerts marking the debut of RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman.

Hardeman says his first program “serves as a celebration of music and community, providing feelings of joy and optimism. The connecting theme is folk music/music that reminds us of home.”

Selections include composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s “Danse Negre,” George Gershwin’s “Lullaby for String Orchestra,” and Aaron Copland’s “Hoe Down” from Rodeo.

The RPO, with guest cellist Catalina Wooldridge (2023 Young Artist Audition Grand Prize Winner), will perform the program in three back-to-back Around the Town events.

Each concert is FREE and open to the public. No tickets are necessary:

—Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m., Fairport High School, 1 Dave Paddock Way, Fairport, NY 14450.

—Wednesday, October 4, 7 p.m., St. Theodore’s Catholic Church, 168 Spencerport Rd, Rochester, NY 14606.

—Thursday, October 5, 7 p.m., Williamson High School, 5891 State Rte 21, Williamson, NY 14589.

A busy week for Maestro Hardeman and the RPO continues Saturday, October 7, 7 p.m. with a FREE community concert, closing the annual Harvest Week at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams St, Rochester, NY 14608.

Hardeman will lead the orchestra through a dynamic setlist programmed in collaboration with Mt. Olivet leadership, including a showcase for groundbreaking classical composers of African descent, such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, George Walker, and William Grant Still. Selections also include the emblematic black spiritual “Amazing Grace” and a medley of “Let Us Break Bread Together,” “This Little Light of Mine,” and “Witness.” Soloists include RPO trumpeter Herb Smith and special guest artist, soprano Kearstin Piper Brown.

The free concert is made possible by underwriting support from Christine Colucci. It is open to the public and no tickets are necessary.

All four concerts listed above are part of the RPO’s 100 Acts of Giving Back, a Centennial Season initiative featuring a schedule of free concerts and music events taking place throughout the Greater Rochester area that ensures access to the orchestra for all.

—

ALSO ON YOUR RPO’S OCTOBER CALENDAR:

—DAVID ZINMAN RETURNS! Thursday, October 12, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 14, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St. Rochester, NY 14604. The world-renowned conductor reunites with the RPO (he was Music Director from 1974-85) for a program including composer Samuel Barber’s “Second Essay” and Brahms’ Second Symphony, and, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto with guest soloist Karen Gomyo. Tickets start at $30/$18 for children ages 3-17 and are available online anytime at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100, and in person at RPO Patron Services at 225 East Avenue (Monday-Friday, 10 AM-5 PM) and one hour prior to curtain at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.).

—HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE™ IN CONCERT! Friday, October 20, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 21, 7 p.m. Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St. Rochester, NY 14604. Relive the magic of Year Six in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert. With this film, based on the sixth installment of the classic saga, fans of all ages can now experience the thrilling tale of Harry’s obsession with a mysterious potions book, accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra start at $30/$18 for children ages 3-17 and are available online anytime at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100, and in person at RPO Patron Services at 225 East Avenue (Monday-Friday, 10 AM-5 PM) and one hour prior to curtain at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.).

—ANDREAS CONDUCTS MAHLER. Thursday, October 26, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 28, 8 p.m. Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, 26 Gibbs St. Rochester, NY 14604. RPO Music Director Andreas Delfs conducts Gustav Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, and is joined by Grammy-winning baritone Eric Owens for Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer.” Tickets start at $30/$18 for children ages 3-17 and are available online anytime at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100, and in person at RPO Patron Services at 225 East Avenue (Monday-Friday, 10 AM-5 PM) and one hour prior to curtain at the Eastman Theatre Box Office (433 East Main St.).

—SPOOKY SYMPHONIES. Sunday, October 29, 2 p.m., Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N Plymouth Ave, Rochester, NY 14614. Get into the Halloween spirit as RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman and the orchestra serve up a fang-tastic afternoon of musical tricks and treats for the whole family, including such favorites as “Night on Bald Mountain” and “Superman March.” Costumes are strongly encouraged! An onstage parade follows the concert. Tickets: $26/$16 for children ages 3-17 and are available online anytime at rpo.org, by phone at 585-454-2100, and in person at RPO Patron Services at 225 East Avenue (Monday-Friday, 10 AM-5 PM) and one hour prior to curtain at Hochstein Performance Hall.

ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. Now in its Centennial Season, the RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, Ward Stare, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 30th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.

The RPO thanks Season Sponsor M&T Bank, Philharmonics Sponsor St. Ann’s Community, and Pops Series Sponsors Canandaigua National Bank and Wegmans.