BY BARBARA GREENBERG
DANVILLE — Danville Symphony Orchestra kicks off its 42nd season with a tribute to Benny Goodman on the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Each of the season’s other three concerts is very different, not just from the first one but from one another as well. That’s no accident.
“We try very hard to do something different every season, and for every concert within that season,” Jennifer Dixson, DSO’s executive director, said.
Jeremy Swerling, DSO’s music director, agreed. “We try very hard to put together an exciting season each year that appeals to a broad spectrum of the community.”
The season begins with “A Tribute to Benny Goodman,” featuring the Dave Bennett Sextet, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Led by the 24-year-old Dave Bennett, considered by some to be a prodigy, the sextet will delight audiences with its members’ dexterity and resemblance to Goodman’s style.
Selections will include “Let’s Dance,” “Bugle Call Rag,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” “Moonglow” and “I’ve Got Rhythm,” The symphony orchestra will play for each.
Maestro Swerling had high praise for Bennett’s talent.
“Speaking as a former clarinetist myself,” he said, “this is an incredible talent.”
For the holiday season, DSO will present “Christmas with Maureen McGovern” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13.
“Maureen McGovern is one of the biggest name artists we’ve ever had in Danville, especially for a Christmas concert,” Swerling said.
Best known for her hit single “The Morning After,” McGovern will present an evening devoted to the best in Christmas ballads accompanied by the DSO. Selections will include “Oh Holy Night,” “My Favorite Things,” “A Child is Born” and “Have Your-self a Merry Little Christmas.”
The third concert of the season, “Classical Masterworks,” features Alexandre Bouzlov on cello as Maestro Swerling leads the orchestra in Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8,” Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture” and Saint-Säens “Cello Concerto in A Minor” with Bouzlov.
“Bouzlov is an up-and-coming artist,” Dixson said. “He too is only about 24-years-old (like Bennett).”
The 2009 Gail & Harry Adams Young Artists Competition winner also will perform at this concert, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. March 14.
The season concludes at 7:30 p.m. May 9 with the banjo of Buddy Wachter, a fast picker of classical and popular favorites, and the DSO string section’s bowing.
“With Strings Attached” features selections with banjo that include waltzes, marches, rags, dances, Broadway tunes and even a duet with concertmaster Margaret Jones Dugdale.
“The banjo has an undeserved reputation,” Swerling said. “It can do things that a guitar can’t, like project.
“Buddy played with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony and it went over very well there,” Swerling said. “Our audience will enjoy him.
“I think our audience will enjoy all these concerts.”
The concerts will all be at the Danville High School auditorium, 202 E. Fairchild St., Danville.
IF YOU GO
Danville Symphony Orchestra season memberships are available and single tickets are now on sale. Season tickets for adults are $85 in Section A and $75 in Section B. Senior season ticket prices are $78 in Section A and $68 in Section B. Student season tickets are available for $40 in either section.
Single tickets for all events of the season also are on sale.
Adult tickets are $25 in Section A and $23 in Section B. Senior ticket prices are $23 in Section A and $21 in Section B. Student tickets are available for $12 in either section.
Visa and MasterCard are accepted. To order tickets by phone or for further information, please call 443-5300. DSO office hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Village Mall, next to the Cinemas.
