Fredericksburg Community Orchestras (FCO) and Friends of Van der Stucken will present the 2015 Van der Stucken Festival on Sat, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hill Country Evangelical Free Church, 107 East Lower Crabapple Rd. in Fredericksburg, Texas.
The concert features Brynn Bowyer, soprano, singing Bist du bei mir by Bach, and Domine Deus by Vivaldi with string accompaniment. She will also perform a piece by Frank Van der Stucken.
The Fredericksburg Community Orchestra, under the direction of Theresa Britt, will perform string arrangements of the Overture to Nabucco by Verdi and the Aria from the Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. Original transcriptions include the Playful Pizzicato from the Benjamin Britten Simple Symphony and Reverie by James Corgliano. Soloists Fagner Rocha and Emilee Hall Rocha will present the Bach double concerto with selected members of the Fredericksburg Community Orchestra.
Dr. Larry Wolz, professor of voice and music history at Hardin Simmons University, and recognized Van der Stucken scholar, returns to sing and speak about the composer. The Arion Mannerchor and the Hermann and Sons Mixed Chorus also perform under the direction of Mark Hierholzer.
The FCO Board will present the award for the 2015 Van der Stucken composition contest–a worldwide competition for young composers. This is the second year of the composition contest.
The Van der Stucken Festival was established in 1991 by Friends of Van der Stucken to increase appreciation for the life and work of Fredericksburg native composer Frank Van der Stucken.
The event is free and open to the public. Wine and cake will be served following the concert to celebrate the 158th birthday of Frank Van der Stucken. Information at www.fredericksburgorchestra.com.
