Annapolis Symphony Orchestra at 60: Live It Up Live!

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra marks its 60th season with a celebratory schedule featuring a return of in-person performances, culminating in the world premiere of an anniversary commission by Jessica Hunt, an up-and-coming young American composer.

Highlights of the new season include:

The Masterwork Series - five programs showcasing immortal works, the world premiere of a commissioned piece and distinguished guest artists and conductors.

The Community Series - four programs that take ASO musicians to select venues in Greater Annapolis to perform in more intimate settings.

Pops in the Park – a free outdoor performance at Quiet Waters Park

Family Concert - with the Magic Circle Mime Company

Holiday Pops - with the Sultans of String

“There is a unique energy generated when you perform in front of an in-person audience,” said Maestro José-Luis Novo, ASO Music Director. “After a year of virtual performances, we cannot wait to celebrate our 60th anniversary with everyone - from children to adults, in the symphony hall, the great outdoors, and throughout our community. This will be a spectacular season to ‘live it up live.’”

ASO 2021-22 Season Subscriptions and Tickets

• The Masterworks Subscription Package includes tickets to all five in-person programs at Maryland Hall plus access to Symphony , the ASO’s comprehensive virtual platform for online viewing of recorded concerts and the popular ASO Chats with Dr. Rachel Franklin. Masterworks Subscription Package pricing begins at under $100. Price based on seat location.
• The Community Concert Subscription Package includes tickets to all four in-person programs scheduled in the Greater Annapolis area for $99.
• The Symphony Virtual Subscription Package is $99 and includes access to the ASO’s virtual platform, Symphony , for online viewing of recorded concerts, ASO Chats with Dr. Rachel Franklin and other content.

Subscription packages are available for purchase now at AnnapolisSymphony.org. Tickets for single in person programs go on sale August 23, 2021.

ASO 2021-22 Program

Pops in the Park - Saturday, September 4, 2021, 5:30pm - (Quiet Waters Park) This free annual Labor Day Weekend outdoor concert features audience favorites by Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Scott Joplin, Leroy Anderson, Duke Ellington, John Williams and more. Pre-register at AnnapolisSymphony.org/Park for a free ticket and to be entered in raffles held during the performance.

Masterworks 1: Opening Night Celebration - NATI PLAYS TCHAIKOVSKY - Friday/Saturday, October 1 & 2, 2021, 8pm - (Maryland Hall) Features Concertmaster and Annapolis Symphony Academy Director Netanel “Nati” Draiblate as soloist performing Tchaikovsky’s beloved Violin Concerto plus Claude Debussy’s epic depiction of the sea La Mer.

Community Concert 1 - Sunday, October 10, 2021, 3pm - (Ss Constantine & Helene Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis) Baroque Orchestra. Conducted by Maestro José-Luis Novo. Program includes Handel’s Water Music and commentary by Dr. Rachel Franklin.

Masterworks 2: PETER BAY CONDUCTS THE ASO - Friday/Saturday, November 12 & 13, 2021, 8pm - (Maryland Hall) Peter Bay, ASO Music Director 1983-90, returns for the second Masterworks concert featuring the sonic splendor of ASO’s Low Brass in a special concerto plus Antonín Dvorák’s Symphony No. 6

Holiday Pops: Sultans of String - Friday, December 17, 2021, 8pm - (Maryland Hall) Sultans of String’s “Christmas Caravan” delivers an exuberant performance featuring originals, world-music inspired classics, and seasonal favorites.

Orion Youth Orchestra Inaugural Concert - Saturday, January 15, 2022, 7pm - (Kerr Center for Performing Arts-Annapolis) The Orion Youth Orchestra, part of the Annapolis Symphony Academy, will make its debut under the direction of Maestro José-Luis Novo.

Community Concert 2 - Sunday, February 20, 2022, 3pm - (Unitarian Universalist Church, Annapolis) Woodwind Quintet- Program TBD

Masterworks 3: DEMONIC DANCE: REPIN PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH - Friday/Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2022, 8pm - (Maryland Hall) Superstar Russian Violinist Vadim Repin will join the ASO to perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s first Violin Concerto, plus the bold and romantic Der Rosenkavalier Suite by Richard Strauss.

Masterworks 4: NOVO’S RITE OF SPRING - Friday/Saturday, April 8 & 9, 2022, 8pm - (Maryland Hall) Maestro José-Luis Novo and the ASO perform the Right of Spring by Igor Stravinsky. Leticia Moreno joins Maestro Novo for Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. Plus, a performance of the Mississippi River Suite by Florence Price, the first African American woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer.

Masterworks 5: SEASON FINALE: TCHAIKOVSKY’S PIANO CONCERTO - Friday/Saturday, May 6 & 7, 2022, 5pm - (Maryland Hall) World premiere performance of an ASO Anniversary Commission by American composer Jessica Hunt, followed by Tchaikovsky’s sublime Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Olga Kern (the 2001 Van Cliborn Gold Medalist), followed by Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.

Family Concert: The Listener - Saturday, May 14, 2022, 11am - (Maryland Hall) The Magic Circle Mime Company’s “The Listener” introduces audiences to the workings of a concert orchestra and explores the relationships between the audience and musician. Recommended for ages 4 and up.

Community Concert 3 - Sunday, May 22, 2022, 3pm - (First Christian Community Church, Annapolis) Brass Quintet. Program TBD

Community Concert 4 - Sunday, June 12, 2022, 3pm - (Unitarian Universalist Church, Annapolis) Piano Quintet with Strings. Program includes Schumann’s Piano Quintet and commentary by Dr. Rachel Franklin.

Major funding for the Annapolis Symphony is generously provided by Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, the Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel County and Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. For more information, see AnnapolisSymphony.org