What could be more romantic or fun than a date at the symphony? Anyone seeking last-minute Valentine’s gifts, either for their mates or friends or perhaps just for themselves, may want to score some tickets for the upcoming Spectrum concert series, a production of the Hernando Symphony Orchestra.
The Spectrum concert series will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 24, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 25, at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.
The 2024 Spectrum concert series marks something of a milestone for HSO, a volunteer pops orchestra formed in 1982 with a lineup of 13 musicians and a definite mission: Promote community interest in music of high standards, provide musicians of all ages with an opportunity to perform in a symphony orchestra, and provide scholarship funds to promote string education in Hernando County. Ticket sales and contributions help support their mission activities.
“Our upcoming Spectrum concerts on February 24 and 25 are the second concert series of this season, which is our 41st season,” said Michele DiLuzio, the Hernando Symphony Orchestra conductor. “Music for this series includes a mixture of music from our archives and new music purchased thanks to Gift of Music donations from our patrons, musicians and ushers.”
DiLuzio promises a rich and rhythmic program of popular songs for the grand occasion of this musical celebration.
“The music for this series is a mixture of excitement, emotion and just plain fun. Music includes music from Jurassic Park, The Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffett, Disney, Cotton Eyed Joe, and much more,” explained DiLuzio.
The concert will also feature several notable highlights. “I will be featuring our Fabulous Flute section (Laura Rieker, Leanna Payne, Karen Moore, Stephanie Gauger) on a special arrangement of Yellow Bird that I wrote for them,” said DiLuzio. “They will be accompanied by our Cello section and I will be playing percussion on the song, along with one of my horn players.”
General admission tickets for all 23-24 concerts are available for purchase through the Hernando Symphony Orchestra website at https://www.hernandosymphony.com/ticket-concert-info. You may also purchase individual or season tickets in person at the concerts or by calling Frances at 352-584-1210.
The season ticket price for the 2023-24 season is $36 per adult for the 3-concert series. The front sections of the performance venue are reserved for season ticket holders. The general admission price is $15 per adult for one concert. The back sections of the performance venue are reserved for general admission ticket holders. The student price is $5 for students ages 5-17. The adult group ticket price is $13 per adult, with a minimum of 10 adult tickets to be purchased. The group price does not apply to students.
Music lovers can also see and hear the Hernando Symphony Brass Trio on Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens, 1489 Parker Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon. This performance is free and open to the public.
In other news, DiLuzio will join several orchestra members to perform in Bishop McLaughlin Catholic School’s “Beauty and the Beast” musical production in March—this is not a symphony event; all ticket sales and proceeds go to Bishop McLaughlin. Visit https://secure.qgiv.com/for/BeautyandtheBeast/event/886753/ for more information. And HSO also has several openings in the orchestra; those interested in joining this talented little group of volunteer musicians can be done by contacting DiLuzio at: [email protected].
