Bozeman Symphony will present its fifth classical concert of the 2023-24 season, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, this month also featuring Principal Oboist Sandy Stimson’s performance of Nigel Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild. Performances will be held on Saturday, April 13th, at 7:30pm and Sunday, April 14th, at 2:30pm. Both will be held at the Willson Auditorium in Downtown Bozeman with pre-concert talks scheduled to begin one hour prior.
This concert opens with Hailstork’s An American Port of Call, unleashing the energy of a busy North American port city. Sandy Stimson, the Bozeman Symphony’s beloved principal oboist will then take center stage to perform Westlake’s Spirit of the Wild. This work utilizes the oboe to depict the diverse majesty of Western Tasmania’s wilderness. Rounding out the program is a classic masterpiece, Elgar’s Enigma Variations. The concert will conclude with Variations for Orchestra on an Original Theme, Op. 26 “Enigma,” an orchestral work comprising 14 variations on an original theme.
Guest conductor Chelsea Gallo will guide the audience on an extraordinary musical journey introducing a colorful cast of musical characters. Labeled a “rising star,” Gallo has been praised for her ability to lead the orchestra with grace and fiery command. She has served as Assistant Conductor to the Florida Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and a Cover Conductor for the New York Philharmonic. She will be a regular Guest Conductor with the Virginia Symphony and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
In addition to the Bozeman Symphony, Stimson performs on English horn with the Billings Symphony. She also performs locally with the Montana Ballet Company and Intermountain Opera Company, also performing chamber music with the Rosewood Duo and the Bridger Winds woodwind quintet. She holds a Master of Music degree from Yale University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Ithaca College.
Performances will be held on April 13th at 7:30pm and April 14th at 2:30pm, at the Willson Auditorium in Downtown Bozeman. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.bozemansymphony.org or by phone at (406) 585-9774. Tickets at the door based on availability. Adult tickets begin at $29 with student-discounted tickets available.
Performances would not be possible without the support of sponsors Cal and Tricia DeSouza, Rick Sanders and Janice Hand, Robyn Erlenbush-ERA Landmark Real Estate, as well as Renee and Stuart Westlake. •
