The Kennett Symphony will play their final concert of the summer at Longwood Gardens.
The Kennett Symphony, led by Maestra Mary Green, will perform Highland Fling at Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre on August 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will cost $35 each.
Highland is a celebration of Celtic music and the event will feature also feature performances from The Brandywine Harp Orchestra and the Kennett Symphony's Children's Orchestra.
Celebrating the orchestra's 69th anniversary, conductor Mary Green (music director of Kennett Symphony) will open the event with “The Blue Bells of Scotland” and close with Leroy Anderson's “Irish Suite.” Additional songs will include: “Lord of the Dance and Cry of the Celts” and three compositions by Percy Grainger.
The Brandywine Harp Orchestra, under the direction of Janet Witman, will join the children’s orchestra in Victor Herbert's “Irish Rhapsody” in addition to performing several classic Irish and Scottish tunes. Director Kristen Albert will lead the young musicians as they collaborate with the Harp Orchestra in several songs.
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Get to know the Kennett Symphony Established in 1940 as a community volunteer orchestra for Kennett Square residents, the Kennett Symphony of Chester County has become Chester County’s only fully professional symphony orchestra. The orchestra is composed of musicians from Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. |
Kennett Symphony Director Barb Bullock said watching the orchestra perform at Longwood is “absolutely thrilling,” crediting the venue's botanical landscape and the performance of the musicians.
“When you sit down and look at this, it's really spectacular,” she said.
Bullock applauded Green for her ability to manage and direct musicians. She said Green opens concerts by disclosing the name of each song that will be performed, along with explaining the meaning for each selection.
"I think it's very unique," remarked Bullock, who said she has never heard of another conductor that interacts with patrons in the same way Green does. She said Green's methods “bring in the audience” and includes them in the show.
Bullock said the orchestra's showing at Longwood would include a full symphony of 65 members, though that’s not always the case.
“The music dictates how many people perform,” she said.
After their performance of Highland, the symphony will not perform again until in October.
