University Symphony Orchestra to premiere alumna composition

KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University’s Symphony Orchestra will present a concert of 20th century Russian composers at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3, in Chenery Auditorium, 714 S. Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo. The concert is free and open to the public.

The concert will open with the "Overture to Colas Breugnon" by Dmitri Kabalevsky, conducted by Graduate Assistant Conductor, Jeffrey Spenner. Faculty member Lori Sims will be featured as piano soloist on the impressive "Piano Concerto Number 3 in D Minor," Opus 30, by legendary pianist and composer Sergei Rachmaninoff.

The performance will conclude with Dmitri Shostakovich’s epic "Symphony Number 5 in D Minor," Opus 47. Also on the program will be the world premiere of "El Letargo De Las Ballenas" (The Whale’s Lethargy) by Mexican composer and WMU alumna Valeria Jonard. Jonard’s composition was the winner of the 2012 Ron Nelson Composition Award for Restful Music.

For more information about the concert, call (269) 387-4704 or (269) 387-4678, or visit wmich.edu/music.