Terrence Girard at Ludwig van Beethoven. Photo by Dana Niemeier.

By PAM HARBAUGH

With Beethoven and Mahler book-ending a 2015/2016 schedule, the Brevard Symphony Orchestra is well positioned to give us a powerhouse season, designed to make every concert “an event.”

“If I had to choose one word to describe the…season I would choose EPIC,” said Maestro Christopher Confessore.

Yes, you should put all these concerts into your schedule now. But if you can go to only one, make it the Oct. 24 “Ode to Joy” concert. I was there when the BSO did that the first time with the Brevard Community Chorus and I still remember it. We were all weepy with that deep delight that only great, great music can impart. That performance was the highlight of a season which included Itzhak Perlman for heaven’s sake.

Here is schedule for the SUBSCRIPTION SERIES:

Oct. 24, 2015, 8 p.m. “Beethoven’s Ode to Joy”
“Ode to Joy! Beethoven Symphony No. 9” performed with the Brevard Community Chorus.
Mark Piszczek – Songs from the “Gulf of Sorrows” which is dedicated to the wildlife that fell during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Nov. 21, 2015, 8 p.m. “Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 1”
Samuel Barber – Violin Concerto with Elmar Oliveira, considered to have the definitive interpretation of this piece.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 1, a rarely heard symphony “Winter Dreams.”
And…An Audience Choice!
This concert repeats Nov. 22 in Vero Beach

Jan. 23, 2016: 2 and 8 p.m. “Mozart’s Voyage to Jupiter”
John Corigliano – Voyage for String Orchestra
Johann Sebastian Bach – Violin Concerto in E Major
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Symphony No. 41 Jupiter, his final symphony with concertmaster Lisa Ferrigno.

Feb. 20, 2016, 2 and 8 p.m. “POPS! I Love a Piano”
Featured pianist Rich Ridenour, a showman paying tribute to Gershwin, Liberace, Billy Joel, Victor Borge and Rachmaninoff.
This concert repeats Feb. 21 in Vero Beach

March 12, 2016, 2:00pm and 8:00pm “Schumann’s Spring Symphony”
Robert Schumann – Symphony No. 1 Spring
Max Bruch – Scottish Fantasy, with violinist Paul Huang
Peter Maxwell Davies – An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise
This concert repeats March 13 in Vero Beach

April 9, 2016, 8:00pm “Mahler Week”
Franz Liszt – Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Tanya Bannister.
Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 5, the first time the BSO will perform this work.

OTHER PERFORMANCES:
July 4th Symphony Under the Stars in Riverside Park, Cocoa, FREE
September 20th – Family Concert at the Cultural Arts Showcase, FREE
May 1, Pops concert in Vero Beach
April 30, 2016, 8:00pm: Broadway’s popular “Phantom,” Hugh Panaro, singing the greatest hits of the Great White Way. This special performance is separate from the BSO’s regular subscription series. It can be added to any subscription package.

Performances are held at the King Center for the Performing Arts, 3865 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne. There are a range of ticket and season prices. New subscribers can get big discounts. In an effort to spread the word, grow their popularity, the BSO also offers neat little deals to subscribers who bring BSO newbies into a concert. So call the BSO at 321-242-2024 or visit their website at www.BrevardSymphony.com. (That’s “com”).

The four performances held in Vero Beach are at the Community Church, 1901 23rd Street, Vero Beach. They are offered by the Indian River Symphonic Association. Those tickets always sell out to subscribers only, so call 772-778-1070 or visit www.irsymphonic.org.