Music Director Teddy Abrams and members of the Louisville Orchestra will perform in three Eastern Kentucky cities this month as part of “In Harmony – The Commonwealth Tour of the Louisville Orchestra,” the orchestra’s two-year, free-to-experience statewide tour throughout Kentucky.
– Wednesday, May 17, 4 p.m., at the Magoffin County Public Library, in downtown Salyersville. Free family concert!
– Wednesday, May 17, 7:00 p.m., at the Mountain Arts Center, 50 Hal Rogers Drive, Prestonsburg.
– Thursday, May 18, 7:00 p.m. at the Appalachian Wireless Arena, 126 Main Street, Pikeville. The tour stop will also include special community events including a 12:00 p.m. stop at Pikeville Gazebo and a ‘Once Upon an Orchestra’ children’s performance at 2:00 p.m. at the Pike County Public Library. Visitors who will travel to Pikeville to attend the performance can find accommodations, dining options and other visitor information at pikevilleky.gov.
– Friday, May 19, 7:00 p.m. at Harlan County High School, 4000 US-119, Baxter. The tour stop will also include a 12:00 p.m. visit to the Gazebo on the Courthouse Lawn in Harlan. Visitors who will travel to Harlan, KY to attend the performance can find accommodations, dining options, and other visitor information at www.harlancountytrails.com.
Free tickets for all performances are available at louisvilleorchestra.org/inharmonytour.
The performances will be a celebration of Kentucky and Americana, the traditional and the new, the spirited and the serene. Kentucky elements take center stage in the program – featuring Kentucky native composer Valerie Coleman, composer-in-residence Lisa Bielawa, and Harlan’s own Lindsey Branson with new works; Richmond native superstar violinist Tessa Lark performing two virtuosic favorites; and an arrangement by Teddy Abrams of a beloved Kentucky anthem. Add to that some favorites like Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Bernstein’s Candide, Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, and a dash of Disney’s Fantasia.
Nearly 20 cities across Kentucky will host the Louisville Orchestra performances, which will include community events like small ensembles, musician meet-and-greets, and musical instructions. The July leg of the tour will include performances in Ashland, Newport, Glasgow, Somerset and Bardstown.
Abrams said he is excited to build connections across the state through the arts.
“With the ‘In Harmony’ tour, the Louisville Orchestra becomes the only orchestra in the United States committed to traveling to every corner of its state to partner in performance with artists across our communities,” Abrams said. “There is no so-called urban-rural divide in music. Art and music transcend geographic boundaries. We couldn’t be more excited to share our treasured work with our fellow Kentuckians in their hometowns and home counties.”
About the Louisville Orchestra
Established in 1937, the Louisville Orchestra has continually garnered international critical acclaim and serves as a cornerstone of the Louisville performing arts community. Helmed by Music Director Teddy Abrams since 2014, the Louisville Orchestra offers a wide variety of immersive and innovative concert performances and educational programming. Recent press coverage includes The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and “CBS Sunday Morning.” Accolades include three invitations to perform at Carnegie Hall; the Leonard Bernstein Award for Excellence in Educational Programming; the League of American Orchestras 2019 Ford Musician Awards for Excellence in Community Service; and 19 American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) awards for adventurous programming in use of contemporary music.
