Although the Enid Symphony Orchestra has been around in one form or another since 1905, the modern version really hit its stride 25 years ago with the multi-million-dollar (and counting) renovation of what is now known as the Joan Allen Symphony Hall. For the 2023-24 season, new Executive Director Victoria Moreira and Artistic Director Doug Newell, wanted to celebrate the anniversary.
“We really started talking about the season in January, and had a lot of different ideas,” said Moreira, “and Doug brought up the 25th anniversary, so we thought that would be a good focus and went from there.” That planning led to a season of six main shows from September 2023 to April 2024. The season kicks off September 16th with “Flipside – The Patti Page Story” a fantastic Off-Broadway performance. “We are bringing in Greg White and his Off-Broadway cast with a 6 piece ‘big band” that features the story of Patti Page, an iconic Oklahoma singer and artist and coincides with Cherokee Strip Days. We are really excited for that.”
Guitarist Matt Denman will highlight the October show playing “stirring music with Latin flavor.” November will include a presentation of Handel’s “Messiah”. February will have ESO Concertmaster Ty Myers performing “Scheherazade,” tales of 1001 Arabian nights. In March the Enid Symphony Orchestra will take the stage with the Enid Youth Symphony and the winner of the 2023 ESO Young Artist Competition. Finally, in April, pianist Edward Auer will perform along with the introduction of a specially commissioned piece entitled “Fanfare for Joan” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Symphony Hall.
As her first year as Executive Director, Moreira said she really wants to focus on youth and community engagement. “I am so excited about the young artist competition in March. We will have students from Enid and northwest Oklahoma send in audition tapes and come to the hall and perform. We will select one winner and two runners-up for cash prizes, and the winner will get to perform with the ESO and EYO at the show that month. I really wanted to get the youth involved because being part of the larger orchestra community and the training I received in Chicago as a youth was so important to me as a musician and I want to try to bring a similar partnership to our groups here and tie into this year’s 25th anniversary celebration,” said Moreira.
While the subscription series is the main event for ESO, they will be presenting four small events in August as part of the Edward Jones “Harvest Wine Series.” Beginning August 8th, and running for 4 consecutive Tuesday evenings, the ESO will host intimate shows to whet your appetite for the upcoming year.
If you have never been to an ESO performance before, Moreira says that you should come not just for the concert, but for the whole experience. “It is a great date night or fun activity. We have a cash bar open an hour before the show and a free reception after. It is always a really fun night.” Season and individual tickets are available at the Enid Symphony office or at www.enidsymphony.org
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