Music Amherst Symphony Orchestra and Choral Society Collaboration

The Amherst Symphony Orchestra & Amherst College Choral Society join forces to celebrate the 100th birthday of iconic conductor, composer, educator, pianist and Massachusetts native son, Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). Perhaps more than any other 20th century American composer, Bernstein successfully fused classical, popular and jazz styles, and no work reflects this integration more than the masterful Symphonic Dances from the Broadway musical West Side Story. Mark Lane Swanson, Music Director, conducts.

Dr. Gregory Brown, accomplished composer/conductor and interim director of choral activities at Amherst, guest conducts the ASO and the Choral Society in Bernstein's 1965 Chichester Psalms. The well-known piece offers expressions of faith ranging from boisterous sacred dance to contemplative devotion, all contributing to an overall message of peace and brotherhood. The pairing of Chichester Psalms and West Side Story is a natural one, as some of the rejected material from West Side Story was repurposed and used in Chichester Psalms. The combined choirs of the Amherst College Choral Society will sing as one, massed choir along with countertenor soloist Wee Kiat Chia.

Tickets may be purchased at the door only. Prices are $10 for the general public; $5 for senior citizens, children 12 and under and students with ID; and free for Amherst and Five College students with ID.

For a complete listing of upcoming Amherst College Department of Music events, please visit us at www.amherst.edu/academiclife/departments/music/events.