The University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra starts a new season on Thursday evening. The opening concert is a reaction to the country’s current political turmoil and Wyoming’s budget cuts.
UW Symphony director Michael Griffith says his goal is to make this season an uplifting one. He’s calling it a “Season of Joy.”
“It seemed to me that this isn’t a year to do a lot of music that reminds us of things that are negative,” said Griffith. “This is perhaps a season, rather, to do some more music that can lift us out of those doldrums and make us feel good at the end of the evening.”
Griffith hopes the concert will set a joyful tone for the rest of the season that resonates with audience members.
The program will feature Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, the Pastoral Symphony. The night will also include three shorter works including Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto highlighting UW faculty clarinetist Blake McGee.
Opening night is Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at UW’s Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts.
