Annual spring concert, ‘Dancing Through Life,’ by Hannibal Area String Orchestra set for Sunday

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Area String Orchestra’s annual spring concert is set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, in the Roland Fine Arts Center, 2800 Palmyra Road. Admission is free, but a free-will offering will be taken to help cover the cost of music and other expenses.

“Dancing Through Life” is the theme for this year’s concert. All the music will be inspired by dance and reflect the phases of our lives.

The concert starts with the Beginning String Orchestra playing “Ember Dance” by Erica Donahoe, which is a musical expression of the glowing ashes and sparks that dance through the night air around a fire. This selection will be followed by “Water Music” by Handel. This piece of music was played in the 1700’s on a barge on the Thames River. These concerts on the barges were all the rage with the aristocrats of the Baroque Era.

Next, inspired by a drive through Shenandoah National Park in the fall, the orchestra will play “River Valley Waltz” by Katie O’Hara LaBrie, who wanted to bring out the sights and sounds of this drive through a gentle waltz. “Shut up and Dance” by the band Walk the Moon was a huge pop hit and arranged by Michael Story with the same excitement and energy that has been heard on the radio.

In keeping with the concert’s theme, Perry, Ill., resident Bill Camphouse will conduct the Intermediate Strings in a performance of “Tango del Sol.” Camphouse’s original composition is inspired by lively Latin American dance rhythms. His musical career as composer, performer and conductor includes the 2023 premier of “Tango” at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference in Chicago.

The Intermediate Strings will then follow with the music of Wicked. This medley includes many favorite songs from the show including “Defying Gravity” and “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Reflecting on how much time we have in life and how we should make every moment count, the Intermediate Orchestra will end with “Clocks,” originally by the band Coldplay.

The Advanced Orchestra travels to Hungary with the energetic “Hungarian Dance No. 1” by Johannes Brahms. This piece celebrates the fire and passion of the Roma culture (Gypsy), a style closely associated with Hungary. The pace continues with “Sabre Dance” by Aram Khachaturian, an exuberant dance from the Gayaneh Ballet that reflects men dancing with swords.

For a change of pace and mood, the orchestra will then play “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, a slow reflective piece that is often played to remember lives lost. It most notably became the music of our country’s mourning after the September 11 destruction of the Twin Towers. Next, “Hoe Down” from the ballet Rodeo by Aaron Copland encapsulates the energy of the American spirit. It was used years ago for the American beef campaign that included the slogan, “Beef, it’s what for dinner!”

The concert will end with all the musicians coming together to perform “Finale” from the ballet Firebird by Igor Stravinsky. The music reflects life rising from the ashes and brings the concert full circle. Artwork by local students will be projected during this piece.

The Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced String Orchestras are directed by Katie Schisler with John Ferguson as assistant director. The string orchestra has about 50 members including piano, guitars and percussion on some pieces.

For more information, contact Schisler at 573-501-7654 or kschisler@hannibal60.com or Ferguson at 573-406-9971 or jd.ferguson@charter.net.