The Savannah Philharmonic announced the launch of its 2015-2016 Season, “Live the Music,” on Monday, April 20, 2015, at the Lucas Theatre for the Arts to a full-stage of supporters and community friends.

“Our last season was a landmark one for the Philharmonic. Sold out halls, increased giving, and an orchestra and chorus that continue to go from strength to strength are a few of the wonderful things to look back on,” said Peter Shannon, conductor and artistic director. “This new season builds on that: the repertoire is a good mix of everything, and I truly believe there is not one concert that can be missed. In fact, it’s hard for me to choose a favorite, and this is proof positive that the Philharmonic is on its way to more success. I cannot wait to get started!”

The 7th Season has a foundation built on some of the true cornerstones of the classical repertoire, while expanding by introducing some new repertoire to Savannah through the Chamber Concert series. The emotion and energy this music demands from the Philharmonic musicians will make these concert experiences for music-lovers and newcomers second to none.

PHILHARMONIC RENEWALS & NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS

Purchasing a subscription package not only gives you first selection of seats at concerts, it also provides significant savings on tickets. Based on your chosen ticket level and subscription package, significant savings can be made. For example, purchasing “The Philharmonic Experience” at the Tier 1 ticket level costs $620 per person. Apply the 25% discount and save $155 for a total cost of $465 per person.

Flex 3
Choose any three orchestral/choral concerts 5% discount

Pick 5
Choose any five orchestra/choral concerts 10% discount

Series 8
All eight orchestral/choral concerts 15% discount

The Philharmonic Experience
All eight orchestral/choral concerts + chamber series 25% discount

The Chamber Music Series
All six chamber concerts for the price of five

First time subscribers purchasing “The Philharmonic Experience” Subscription
30% discount!

New subscribers purchasing “The Philharmonic Experience” at the Tier 1 ticket level can save $186 for a total cost of $434 per person.

SUBSCRIPTION SALES SCHEDULE:

April 20 – May 8, 2015: 2014-2015 subscribers may reserve the same seats for 2015-2016

May 9 – July 17, 2015: 2014-2015 subscribers may reserve new seats
             New subscribers may purchase subscriptions and reserve seats (Online
                                   sales begin May 9, 2015)

Monday, July 20, 2015: Individual tickets on sale

SAVANNAH PHILHARMONIC 2015-2016 SEASON

LIVE THE MUSIC

OPENING NIGHT: PRAYERS OF RAIN & WIND, BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO. 1

Saturday, September 12, 2015, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Weber Overture to “Der Freischütz”
Hedges Prayers of Rain & Wind
Brahms Symphony No. 1, Op. 68

Prayers of Rain & Wind, written for Savannah’s own Joseph Conyers (Assistant Principal Double Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra) about his hometown, evokes the varied days of Savannah – from the oppressive humidity “praying for rain” to the anticipation of a great storm. The evening concludes with Brahms’s glorious Symphony No. 1, Op. 68.

DOUBLE BASS SOLOIST: Joseph Conyers

SPECIAL GUEST:
 Connor’s Temple Baptist Church

TICKETS: $16 to $75

CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR: Bouhan Falligant Attorneys & Counselors at Law

SOLOIST SPONSORS: Seacrest Partners United Community Bank

A CLASSICAL HALLOWEEN

Friday, October 16, 2015, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Concert Includes:

Saint Saëns Danse Macabre
Williams Harry Potter Symphonic Suite
Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique
Herrmann Excerpts from Psycho Suite

Are you ready to dance with skeletons and ride on broomsticks with witches and wizards? Come prepared for an evening of spine-tingling, blood-chilling classical Halloween favorites.

TICKETS: $16 to $75

SUPPORTING SPONSORS: Austin Hill Realty
                                              Memorial Health

AN EVENING OF BAROQUE: HANDEL, BACH, & VIVALDI

Thursday, November 19, 2015, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from “Solomon”
Marcello Oboe Concerto in C minor Bach Cantata No. 192
Bach “Nun danket alle Gott”
Vivaldi Gloria
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
Handel Zadok the Priest

Featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria in collaboration with the Savannah Children’s Choir and alumni soloists in honor
of their 10th anniversary season.
The Philharmonic Chorus with local soprano Heidi Bindhammer and baritone Russell Watkins present Bach’s Cantata No. 192 “Nun danket alle Gott.” Savannah Philharmonic musicians are the featured soloists in Marcello’s Oboe Concerto and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5.

SOLOISTS:
 Sinisa Ciric, violin

                  Jeana Melilli, flute 

                  Andrew Jay Ripley, oboe
                  Heidi Bindhammer, soprano
                  Russell Watkins, baritone.

SPECIAL GUESTS:
 Savannah Children’s Choir & Alumni

TICKETS: $16 to $75

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS: Austin Hill Realty
                                                 Coastal Dentistry

SOLOIST SPONSOR:
 Harkleroad DIamonds & Fine Jewelry

HOLIDAY POPS

Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12, 2015
, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

Holiday Pops, a perennial favorite, returns for the seventh season. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the magic, joy, and warmth of the season with the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, soloists, and special guests.

SOLOISTS: Harry O’Donoghue, 
Irish Entertainer
                   Alexander Edgemon, countertenor
                  (American Traditions Competition Gold Medalist)

SPECIAL GUESTS: I Cantori

TICKETS: $16 to $75

SOLOIST SPONSOR:
 Bouhan Falligant Attorneys & Counselors at Law

ATC SOLOIST SPONSOR: Wayne & Marilyn Sheridan

SPECIAL FAMILY EVENT: HOLIDAY POPS FAMILY MATINEE

Saturday, December 12, 2015, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 3 p.m.

Back by popular demand, this one-hour family-friendly concert brings the joy of the season to children of all ages.

SPECIAL GUESTS: Savannah Children’s Choir

TICKETS: $25 for a family of 4; $10 for individual tickets
 (all general admission)

PRESENTING SPONSORS: Belk, Georgia Power, Mrs. Robert O. Levitt, St. Joseph’s/Candler

*The Family Matinee is not included in a 2015-2016 subscription.

MOZART MASS IN C MINOR

Friday, February 5, 2016, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, 7:30 p.m.

Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis

Mozart
 Mass in C minor K.V. 427

The mesmerizing and lush harmonies of Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis for double string orchestra opens the evening, complemented exquisitely by Mozart’s masterful Mass in C minor featuring the beautiful Osanna for double chorus in the Sanctus.

SOLOISTS:
 Antoni Mendezona, soprano
                  Holli Harrison, soprano
                  Stan Warren, tenor

                  Adam Fry, bass

TICKETS: $18 to $100 
(all reserved seating except balcony)

CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR: Sea Island Bank

VELVET CARAVAN WITH ORCHESTRA

Saturday, March 5, 2016, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra is joined onstage by Savannah’s own “Gypsy Jazz” ensemble, Velvet Caravan, for an eclectic evening bringing together the music of Johannes Brahms, Django Reinhardt, Johnny Mercer, and more. Velvet Caravan will also debut several original orchestral arrangements featuring members of the Philharmonic as soloists.

GUEST SOLOIST: Velvet Caravan

TICKETS: $16 to $75

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Enmark

MUSIC FROM THE 60S: CELEBRATING THE 1760S, 1860S,
AND 1960S

Thursday, April 21 & Friday, April 22, 2016, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7:30 p.m.

Voices Only Concert

An evening with the Savannah Philharmonic Chorus celebrating music from the classical era and the American
 Civil War era, with popular hits from the 1960s. Repertoire includes Haydn’s Te Deum No. 2 in C Major, American Folk Songs including The Merry, Merry Month of May, Camptown Races, and Nelly Bly, spirituals from the Civil War era such as Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, and well-loved songs from the Beatles, the Supremes, and the Temptations.

CONDUCTOR: Dr. Monica Harper, Philharmonic Chorusmaster

TICKETS: $20

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Critz Auto Group

SEASON FINALE: CHOPIN & TCHAIKOVSKY*

Saturday, April 30, 2016, Johnny Mercer Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Glinka            Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, Op. 74 “Pathétique”

The Season Finale begins with Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist Quynh Shannon. An appropriate final piece for the finale, Tchaikovsky’s last completed symphony, the “Pathétique,” heart-wrenching and impassioned, is a powerful ending to the 2015-2016 season!

PIANO SOLOIST: Quynh Shannon

TICKETS: $26 to $75

PREMIER SPONSOR:
 Bill and Maria Dascombe