In an age of glowing screens and endless notifications, it has become easy to forget that we are connected not only to each other, but also to the natural world around us.
Our bodies are regulated by the rhythms of nature—the rise and fall of light, the breath of a breeze, the unspoken dialogue between our energy and the earth’s. We are sustained not by efficiency, but by the environment.
As ASO Artistic Director José‑Luis Novo often reflects through his programming, art is not an escape from the world, but a return to it.
The most essential purpose of music and of art is to restore our sense of belonging —with nature, with each other, and with the deeper, quieter truths that modern life might obscure, but can never erase. This season, we invite you to join us at Maryland Hall, The Music Center at Strathmore, at a park, hospital, or other space near you to experience music that will move you, restore you, and connect you to the beauty of nature.
This season’s celebration of art and nature includes collaborations with the following Annapolis area photographers whose work features scenes of nature from the Chesapeake Bay region:
Emily Carter
Pam Ehrenfried
Jennifer Casey Jay Fleming
Alison Harbaugh Arden Haley
We look forward to showcasing works from these photographers, and others, throughout the season.
As part of our celebration of nature and the natural world this season, we are taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint.
At each concert, patrons will receive a printed flyer with the program and musician roster, while the full concert booklet will be available digitally.
Signature Series I: ECHOES OF THE EARTH
Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto, with Cellist Julian Schwarz
Oct 2-3, 2026 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
Signature Series II: FORCES OF NATURE
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 with Violinist Vadim Repin
Nov 6-7, 2026 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
Signature Series III: THE CALL OF THE WILD
Strauss, An Alpine Symphony
Mar 5-6, 2027 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
Signature Series IV: MYTHS & MOUNTAINS
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, with Violinist Esther Yoo
Apr 9-10, 2027 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
Apr 11, 2027 | 3:00pm Strathmore
Signature Series V: SHAPED BY NATURE
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3, with Pianist Stewart Goodyear
May 7-8, 2027 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
STRAUSS, AN ALPINE SYMPHONY
Mar 7, 2027 | 3:00pm Maryland Hall
GROFÉ, GRAND CANYON SUITE
May 9, 2027 | 3:00pm Maryland Hall
POPS IN THE PARK
Celebrating Annapolis250
Sept 5, 2026 | 11:30am Downs Park
Sept 6, 2026 | 5:30pm Quiet Waters Park
Rain Date
Sept 7, 2026 | 5:30pm Quiet Waters Park
HOLIDAY POPS
December 18, 2026 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
December 19, 2026 | 3:00pm Severna Park High School
ASO BRASS QUINTET
Annapolis250 screening of Hamilton
Jul 3, 2026 | 6:30pm St. John’s College
MARYLAND HALL PRESENTS ISIDORE STRING QUARTET
Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E-flat major with ASO Principal Musicians
Mar 25, 2027 | 7:30pm Maryland Hall
School Field Trip Concert
PETER & THE WOLF/ PEDRO Y EL LOBO
with Really Inventive Stuff
Apr 15-16, 2027 | 10:00am & 11:30am bilingual Maryland Hall
Family Concert
PETER AND THE WOLF/ PEDRO Y EL LOBO
with Really Inventive Stuff
All tickets $15
Apr 17, 2027 | 11:00am Maryland Hall
$15 student tickets and Military/Law Enforcement/First Responder discounts available. Please call the Box Office to redeem.
“Great Blue Heron” by Emily Carter
Discover 3 PM Matinees: Music, Annapolis, and More. Elevate your afternoon with our 1 hour concerts that start at 3 PM.
Savor the Day Your Way. Explore Annapolis before the show, and have time to enjoy dinner afterwards. While your morning might be full of sports, classes, and chores, your afternoon can be filled with music.
Effortless at Maryland Hall. Our matinees will be performed at Maryland Hall, which offers free parking, easy access to the show, and close proximity to USNA, Annapolis Arts District, West Street, and historic downtown Annapolis.
STRAUSS, AN ALPINE SYMPHONY
March 7, 2027 at 3pm | Maryland Hall
GROFÉ, GRAND CANYON SUITE
May 9, 2027 at 3pm | Maryland Hall
Join Us for the Perfect Mother’s Day Experience!
SEAT SECTION
Signature Series subscribers can log into their Patron Portal to purchase Matinee tickets with a 20% discount starting August 1, 2026.
Music is a powerful way to connect to the rhythms of nature. A crescendo can mirror the rising surge of an ocean wave, the soaring flight of a bird, a hiker reaching a mountain summit, or a dancer whirling at a festival. A delicate melody can echo the hush of early morning. Harmony reminds us that beauty emerges not from isolation, but from interdependence. Every note, every phrase, every shared sound—in fact, even the silence—in a concert hall is a reminder that we are part of something larger than any one individual, participants in a kind of magic that binds us together.
This season, we are inspired by the natural world and the ways it intertwines with our passions, our communities, and the change of seasons. Look closely at the titles of this year’s concerts, and you will see how composers across centuries have drawn from elemental forces to bring us works that are emotional, powerful, and deeply moving.
Like a new fawn, I am continually inspired by the curiosity and courage of the young musicians of the Annapolis Symphony Academy. Watching them discover the joy of sound—the way a string vibrates under their fingers, the way a voice finds its own strength—reminds me that music is a living conversation, passed from one generation to the next. Their enthusiasm teaches us that art is not merely decoration; it is a way of seeing, of listening, and of being fully present in the world. Academy recitals and performances are free and open to the public, and I hope you will join us to witness these discoveries firsthand.
Through all our programs this season, we hope to create spaces where audiences can pause, remember, and reconnect—to each other, to nature, and to the larger human story that music tells. Whether you join us for a stirring symphony, an intimate chamber concert, or one of our new, Sunday matinees, you become part of this shared journey. Come, listen, feel, and discover anew the power of music to restore, to unite, and to inspire.
See you at the show!
José-Luis Novo Artistic Director & Conductor
Join us for a summer evening of music with your ASO musicians to celebrate Annapolis250.
Come early and enjoy live music from the ASO’s Brass Quintet before the screening of Hamilton, on the lawn of St. John’s College.
July 3, 2026 | 6:30pm St. John’s College
As we look to our 65th season , I am reflecting on my first year as chair of the Board of Trustees. I have been a lifelong patron of the arts and a part of the ASO for half of that time. Being a member of the ASO board has been illuminating for me. I am constantly learning about the role of the staff in our organization. The amount of planning that goes into putting each concert on stage is staggering, and I have new respect for those off the stage who facilitate this. Being an a rts administrator g oes beyond being in the office. From being on site for evening rehearsals to dinners with donors, many of us don’t fully comprehend the level of devotion required for the job they are doing.
AOn stage, the caliber and quality of the orchestra continues to rise under the baton of José Luis Novo. I have come to know more musicians over my time on the board. Understanding the life of a musician has increased my appreciation for their craft. Our audiences appreciate it too. We enjoyed nearly sold out houses for most of our concerts this past season. The ASO’s success comes from a true collaboration between the artistic and administrative sides of the organization.
As a music student myself, my admiration continues to grow for the Annapolis Symphony Academy (ASA). The ASA is expanding its reach in our community, both in numbers of students served and the strength of the program. The ASA offers youth ensemble concerts, concerto competitions, and honors recitals, all of which are free and open to the public. They are beautiful moments that showcase the passion for music and discipline of our students.
As with all arts organizations, the ASO
is reliant on donations and pledges to sustain our programs. We could not sustain what we do without the support of people like you who understand and believe in our mission of inspiring, educating, and enriching lives through music. Thank you to those who have made a the ASO a part of their charitable giving.
Sincerely,
Katie Edwards, MD Board Chair
Join us for this annual ASO tradition, kicking off our 2026-27 season. This year we celebrate the 250th birthday of America.
Sept 5, 2026 | 11:30am Downs Park Sept 6, 2026 | 5:30pm Quiet Waters Park
Rain Date: Sept 7, 2026 | 5:30pm Quiet Waters Park
Sign up for our raffle to win big prizes at AnnapolisSymphony.org/events We
Jennifer Higdon Cello Concerto Schwarz will perform a piece he commissioned from eminent composer Jennifer Higdon when he returns to Annapolis for a third time.
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77
Renowned for his leading interpretation of Dmitri Shostakovich’s 1st Violin Concerto, Repin brings exceptional clarity, intensity, and emotional depth to this defining work.
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
In 2021 Yoo recorded a critically acclaimed interpretation of this piece with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Vasily Petrenko. Yoo performed Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1 with the ASO in 2021.
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Goodyear returns to Annapolis for a second time, following his succesful performance of George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F in 2019, one of our top selling concerts of the last 20 years.
JENNIFER HIGDON, Cello Concerto 2026 commission for Julian Schwarz
LUKE SONERAL, An Overture: The Mouse and its Shadow 2026 commission for the National Youth Orchestra of the USA
TAN DUN, Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds
2015 Carnegie Hall commission for the National Youth Orchestra of the USA
DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH, Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 77 (99)
PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY, The Tempest, Op. 18
RICHARD STRAUSS, Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64
MAX BRUCH, Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN, Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
SERGEI PROKOFIEV, Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Nature reminds us that growth is constant, alive with movement and possibility. Inspired by the natural world, our upcoming 2026–27 season invites you to experience music as something living t hat is shaped by the environment and the spaces we share.
Next season’s programming captures the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra in motion. We continue to expand our artistic ambition, deepen our connection to the community, and grow the impact of the Annapolis Symphony Academy — all while reimagining the role a symphony orchestra can play today, on stage and off. Each concert reflects a commitment to curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful musical experiences that resonate far beyond the stage.
What allows the ASO to flourish is the ecosystem we create together. Musicians, audiences, students, supporters, board, volunteers, and staff each bring their own energy and perspective, transforming every performance into a shared moment of joy and discovery. Live music becomes not just something we present, but something we experience collectively — evolving with every season.
It is my honor to help lead an organization that believes equally in artistic excellence, professional acumen, and human connection. Together, we are shaping an orchestra that listens deeply, takes creative risks, and welcomes new voices into the symphonic experience.
As you explore the upcoming season, I hope you find moments to pause, to breathe, and to reconnect — with nature, with music, and with one another. Thank you for being an essential part of this community and for helping the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra continue to grow with purpose and renewal.
Sincerely,
Erica Bondarev Rapach Executive Director
The Patricia Edwards Chair
“It’s too expensive.”
Think again.
“It’s stuffy and formal.”
Only if you want it to be.
The ASO offers tiered pricing including, $15 student tickets, $25 Signature Series seats, $25 Matinees at Maryland Hall, and free concerts throughout the season. We don’t want cost to stand between you and the music.
“I won’t understand it.”
Good news: there’s no test at the door.
You don’t need a musical background, a history book, or a pre concert cram session. Just come, sit, listen, and experience. Enjoyment comes first. Studying beforehand is optional.
At the ASO, we see everything from sequins to sweats. Dress up. Dress down. Dress comfortably. What matters isn’t what you’re wearing — it’s what you’re feeling.
“I’ll feel out of place.”
Not here. We welcome you.
From the moment you walk through the doors at Maryland Hall, a Chamber concert, an Academy performance, or The Music Center at Strathmore, you’re part of something shared. The ASO is a community — open, curious, and united by the simple act of listening together. You belong.
“Symphonies are boring.”
Not even close.
Watch the individual musicians and how they interact with the conductor, the guest artist, and with each other. Notice how Maestro José Luis Novo shapes the music with his hands, arms, and expressions. Look around and see the audience leaning in. Feel what the music does to your body. Are your toes tapping? Do you want to close your eyes while listening? Live orchestral music is emotional, physical, and visceral. But boring? Never.
“There are too many rules.”
Relax. At the ASO, the rulebook is short.
Clap when the music ends. Don’t own a tux or a formal gown? We’ve got you—come in whatever you like.
Got a tickle in your throat? We offer free lozenges and you’re allowed to have beverages in the auditorium.
The only rules we enforce are enjoy your experience (just without snacks please — save that for the movies).
“It’s all the same kind of music.”
Hardly. Nothing repetitious here. Some orchestral pieces are dark and dramatic. Others are playful, bold, cinematic, or festive. Some are innovative, using things like a huge handmade hammer, windsheets, ancient Chinese instruments, or this season, even your cellphone. Every work tells a different story. Listen to the music to follow along. Or write your own narrative based on your experience.
Yes, we perform timeless and iconic classical music. We also champion living composers. This season we will champion a famous female composer, Jennifer Higdon, and Luke Soneral, a college student who recently debuted his composition at Carnegie Hall. The orchestra is one ensemble. The music is endlessly varied.
“I have to be a subscriber to join the ASO community.”
Fake news. There are many ways to join the ASO family.
• Join us at a community concert like Pops in the Park , performances by the ASA, or at public events throughout Anne Arundel County.
• Try out just one concert like a Signature Series, our new Sunday matinee or Holiday Pops.
• Mix and match 3 or 4 of your favorite Signature Series concerts with a FlexPass
• Show your full support with a Signature Series subscription .
• Join FASO and tap into all sorts of fun ways to volunteer for the ASO and ASA.
Visit our website for more information about these and other options: annapolissymphony.org
Netanel Draiblate, Concertmaster
Nicholas Currie, Associate
Todd Thiel, Principal
Pei Lu, Associate Principal
Alison Bazala Kim
TRUMPET
Christopher Sala, Principal
Christopher Buchanan
Concertmaster
Abby Armbruster
Yoon Young Bae
Susan Benac
Heather Haughn
Hanbing Jia
Rachael Stockton
William Wang
Qian Zhong
VIOLIN II
Christian Tremblay, Principal
Kristin Bakkegard, Associate Principal
Sally Stallings Amass
Megan Gray
Karin Kelleher
Glen Kuenzi
Zoe Kushubar
Anna Luebke
Alexandra Mikhlin
Madalyn Navis
VIOLA
Sarah Hart, Principal
Derek Smith, Associate Principal
Kunjing Dai
Susan Taylor
Dapkunas
Daphne Eller
Rachel Holaday
Brian Shoop
Kate Zahradnik
Nicole Boguslaw
Catherine Mikelson
MaryAnn Perkel
Daniel Shomper
April Studeny
BASS
Patrick Raynard, Principal
Benjamin Crofut, Associate Principal
Peter Cohn
Broc Mertz
Brandon Smith
FLUTE
Kimberly Valerio, Principal
Genevieve Eichman
OBOE
Fatma Daglar, Principal
Rick Basehore
CLARINET
Robert DiLutis, Principal
Brian Eldridge
BASSOON
Asha Kline, Principal
Patricia Morgan
HORN
Alex Kovling, Principal
Shane Iler, Associate Principal
Kevin Grasel
Ho Hin Kwong
Anthony Valerio
Andrew Fremder
TROMBONE
David Perkel, Principal
David Sciannella
TUBA
Jake Fewx, Principal
TIMPANI
Curt Armbruster, Principal
PERCUSSION
William Kan, Principal
HARP
Katherine Ventura, Principal
SPONSOR AN ASO MUSICIAN
Starting at a $3,000 tax deductible donation.
See pages 46 47 for more details.
Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto with cellist Julian Schwarz
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Antonín Dvorˇák
In Nature’s Realm, Op. 91
Jennifer Higdon
Cello Concerto
Julian Schwarz, cello
Manuel de Falla
El sombrero de tres picos (The Three Cornered Hat)
This concert is approximately 2 hours in length, with a 20 minute intermission.
The season opens with music that reconnects us to the natural world and to one another. Antonín Dvorˇák ’s In Nature’s Realm invites listeners into the Bohemian countryside he loved, unfolding from a hushed opening into radiant, folk inspired melodies that echo birdsong, hymns, and rustic dances. A simple, recurring “nature theme” weaves through the work, evoking both innocence and wonder. Both lyrical and rhythmic, it offers a sense of renewal and sets the tone for a season shaped by nature’s energy and calm.
At the center of the program is Jennifer Higdon’s Cello Concerto , a powerful new work written for acclaimed cellist Julian Schwarz, who returns to Annapolis for his third appearance with the ASO. Structured in four movements— Poet, Dances, Fervent, and Lines —the concerto reflects Higdon’s signature style: rhythmically vibrant, emotionally direct, and richly orchestral. One of today’s most celebrated composers, Higdon brings a fresh, compelling voice to the stage, while Schwarz’s artistry—marked by depth, clarity, and expressive range—promises a performance that is both intimate and electrifying.
The program concludes with Manuel de Falla’s The Three-Cornered Hat, a vivid and theatrical ballet brimming with humor, color, and Spanish flair. Rooted in the rhythms of village life—harvest, work, and celebration—the score captures the spirit of the land while unfolding a witty tale of power, mischief, and resilience. Featuring a mezzo soprano and performed in its entirety, this rarely heard presentation culminates in an exuberant final dance of irresistible energy and joy.
Together, these works celebrate nature, community, and the enduring power of music to move, connect, and inspire.
The performance will include supertitles to help the audience follow the plot of the ballet.
Shostakovich Violin Concerto No. 1 with violinist Vadim Repin
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2026
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Luke Soneral
An Overture: The Mouse and its Shadow
Dmitri Shostakovich
Violin Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op. 77 (99)
Vadim Repin, violin
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
The Tempest, Op. 18
Igor Stravinsky
Divertimento from Le baiser de la fée (The Fairy’s Kiss)
This concert is approximately 2 hours in length, with a 20 minute intermission.
Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1 is one of the most powerful concertos of the 20th century. Written under the shadow of Stalinist repression, the concerto speaks in coded language — dark introspection, biting irony, and searing virtuosity. The work reveals the psychological damage the Soviet regime inflicted on Shostakovich, and calls on listeners to reject the politics of division, revenge and hate.
Russian violinist Vadim Repin is celebrated for a rare combination of technical perfection, depth, and musical authority. His expertise in the Shostakovich repertoire is unsurpassed.
Tchaikovsky’s The Tempest transforms Shakespeare’s play into a sweeping symphonic seascape, where storm tossed drama, glowing lyricism, and the eternal presence of nature unfold in richly colored sound. The physical storm brought to life by the music is a metaphor for human nature.
Igor Stravinsky’s The Fairy’s Kiss was conceived as a tribute to his country man Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky on the 35th anniversary of the great composer’s death. It was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ice Maiden and functions as a poetic allegory for Tchaikovsky’s artistic life. Icy textures and glittering sonorities evoke nature as an elemental, even fateful force.
Luke Soneral’s An Overture: The Mouse and Its Shadow is a brand new work by a collegiate composer already earning national recognition. The inclusion underscores the ASO’s commitment not only to iconic classical music, but to the next generation of composers shaping the orchestral world.
Strauss, An Alpine Symphony
FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2027
SATURDAY, MARCH 6, 2027
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Claude Debussy “Fêtes” from Nocturnes
Maurice Ravel
Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of the Jester)
Tan Dun
Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds
Richard Strauss
Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64
This concert is approximately 2 hours in length, with a 20 minute intermission.
Debussy’s “Fêtes” is a luminous celebration of Parisian festivities with shimmering orchestration. It bursts with joyous celebration.
Maurice Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso (Morning Song of the Jester) bursts with Spanish flair, from virtuosic strings and fiery castanets to the jester’s tender bassoon “song of the dawn,” blending wit, charm, and radiant orchestral color.
Tan Dun’s Passacaglia: Secret of Wind and Birds is a modern marvel that transforms smartphones into instruments. By merging ancient Chinese musical heritage, the natural world, and contemporary sound, Tan Dun crafts a transcendent encounter with the rhythms, colors, and secrets of the world around us.
Richard Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony paints the ascent of a mountain— from nightfall through sunrise, storm, and triumphant summit. Scored for nearly 100 players, including wind and thunder machines, organ, cowbells, and offstage horns, Strauss creates a breathtaking, cinematic world that captures both nature’s grandeur and the human spirit.
Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 with violinist Esther Yoo
FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2027
SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2027
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2027
MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE | 3:00 PM
Jean Sibelius
Tapiola, Op. 112
Max Bruch
Violin Concerto No.1 in G minor, Op. 26
E sther Yoo, violin
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No.7 in A major, Op. 92
This concert is approximately 1 hr 50 min with a 20 minute intermission.
Jean Sibelius’ Tapiola opens the performance with the mystical and magical setting of an ancient Nordic forest. Inspired by Finnish legends of Tapio, a mythical spirit, the composition unfolds from a single, austere motif into a vast sonic landscape — dark pines, icy winds, distant echoes. The music grows organically, like branches reaching through twilight, brooding and atmospheric, culminating in a conclusion that feels both modern and timeless.
From that northern hush emerges one of the most beloved violin concertos: Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Lyrical, ardent, and richly Romantic, the concerto sings from its very first entrance. The soaring Adagio is among the most heartfelt slow movements in the repertoire, while the finale dances with fire and virtuosity.
Internationally acclaimed violinist Esther Yoo, praised for her depth of expression and dazzling technique, brings luminous artistry to this audience favorite.
The program culminates in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Driven by irresistible rhythmic vitality, each movement surges forward with mounting energy and exhilaration. The haunting Allegretto pulses with solemn intensity, while the outer movements blaze with unstoppable momentum. Composed amid personal struggle and political upheaval, the Seventh stands as a triumph of motion, resilience, and pure musical joy.
Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3
with pianist Stewart Goodyear
FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2027
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2027
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Benjamin Britten
Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a
Sergei Prokofiev
Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26
Stewart Goodyear, piano
Ferde Grofé
Grand Canyon Suite
This concert is approximately 1 hr 50 min with a 20 minute intermission.
This program explores three vivid sound worlds — the restless English coast, the electric pulse of modern virtuosity, and the vast, cinematic sweep of the American West — each shaped by composers who transformed landscape into legend.
Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from the opera Peter Grimes , tells the story of a psychological storm. Divided strings and shimmering textures suggest a vast, indifferent sea that will outlast every human drama. Beneath the sound lies the aching question sung by the opera’s tragic outsider: What harbor shelters peace?
Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is one of the most brilliant and beloved concertos of the 20th century. The music blends razor sharp wit, romantic sweep, and machine age energy. Deceptive lyricism explodes into percussive sparkle and sardonic bite. Castanets snap. Harmonies shift sideways without warning. The finale bristles with rhythmic argument between piano and orchestra, culminating in a dazzling, hard won triumph.
Performing this “devilishly difficult” concerto is Stewart Goodyear. Returning to Annapolis for the third time, Goodyear bridges tradition and innovation with rare fluency. His interpretations are an ideal match for Prokofiev’s mercurial brilliance.
Ferde Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite defines the sound of American symphonic storytelling. Each movement is a musical postcard of the West: “Sunrise,” the “Painted Desert,” hoofbeats “On the Trail,” “Sunset,” and “Cloudburst,” complete with wind machine and thunder sheet, describe the majesty of this striking landscape.
SATURDAY APRIL 17, 2027
MARYLAND HALL | 11:00 AM
All tickets $15. Tickets for Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf will be available to the public starting August 1, 2026.
The timeless musical tale of Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf comes to life with the ASO and Really Inventive Stuff. Hailed by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “immensely like able,” this bilingual fully staged vaudeville inspired performance is guaranteed to engage and inspire imaginations of all ages.
Claude Debussy “Golliwogg's Cakewalk” from Children’s Corner
Edward Elgar Minuet, Op. 21
Antonio Vivaldi “Spring” from The Four Seasons , Op.8, No.1: Allegro
Sergei Prokofiev Peter and the Wolf, Op.67, with Really Inventive Stuff
Running time 1 hour.
This bilingual presentation of Peter and the Wolf / Pedro y el Lobo premiered with the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California on July 19, 2025 at the Lobero Theatre.
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JArtistic Director & Conductor, José Luis Novo
osé-Luis Novo, Philip Richebourg
Artistic Director Chair, is in his 22nd season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO). Since his appointment in 2005, Maestro Novo has shaped the ASO with a bold artistic vision, fostering continuous growth, dynamic collaborations, and adventurous programming. His leadership has earned the orchestra widespread acclaim, including a 2008 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, a national broadcast on NPR’s Performance Today, and regular features on Baltimore’s WBJC classical station. Under his baton, the ASO has collaborated with many of the world’s leading musicians, including cellists Steven Isserlis and Lynn Harrell; violinists James Ehnes, Midori, Anne Akiko Meyers, Noah Bendix Balgley, Vadim Gluzman, Chee Yun, and Esther Yoo; guitarists Pepe Romero and Manuel Barrueco; and pianists Leon Fleisher, Peter Serkin, Pascal Rogé, Gabriela Montero, Olga Kern,
Brian Ganz, and Jon Nakamatsu. Milestone performances were the orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Gala Concert in 2012 with mezzo soprano Denyce Graves and an astounding international tour to Spain in 2022.
A strong advocate for contemporary music, Maestro Novo has championed numerous premieres, including works commissioned through Embracing 21st Century Voices, a multi year initiative with the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music
Born in Valladolid, Spain, José Luis Novo earned the degree of Profesor Superior de Violín with honors before receiving a Spanish Ministry of Culture scholarship to study at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels, where he won a First Prize in violin. In 1988, he came to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar, completing master’s degrees at Yale University with top honors, followed by conducting studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
From 2003 to 2016, Maestro Novo was Music Director and Conductor of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra in New York. He has guest conducted leading orchestras across the U.S. and Europe and made a highly acclaimed debut with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2015 Thailand International Composition Festival, returning multiple times. His operatic work includes The Bartered Bride with the late Julius Rudel, as well as productions of Britten’s Albert Herring, Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, and Vaughan Williams’ Riders to the Sea
An accomplished educator, Maestro Novo has held conducting positions with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, University of Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Miami University Symphony Orchestra, and National Repertory
Orchestra. He has been on the faculty of the Eastern Music Festival since 1999, and has led ensembles at institutions such as the Curtis Institute, Cleveland Institute of Music, Bard Conservatory, and Venezuela’s El Sistema.
In 2017, he helped establish the Annapolis Symphony Academy (ASA) and continues to guide its development as Director of Orchestral Activities. He led the debut of the ASA’s Orion Youth Orchestra in 2022 and, in 2025, served as resident conductor of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra (NYO2), preparing the ensemble for performances at Carnegie Hall and on tour at the Edinburgh International Festival. His honors include the 2010 Annie Award in Performing Arts from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, the 2008 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, and the 2005 Broome County Arts Council Heart of the Arts Award.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2026
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2026
SEVERNA PARK HIGH SCHOOL | 3:00 PM
EXPERIENCE THE JOY, BEAUTY AND WARMTH OF THE HOLIDAYS WITH A MIX OF CLASSIC CAROLS AND HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY TUNES.
Including Mendelssohn’s String Octet in E ‑ flat major with ASO Principal Musicians
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2027
MARYLAND HALL | 7:30 PM
Mendelssohn’s Octet with Isidore String Quartet & Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Experience Mendelssohn's iconic Octet performed by America's most exciting young string quartet, the Isidore Quartet, alongside principal musicians from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
Joseph Haydn
String Quartet in F minor, Op. 20, No. 5
Billy Childs
String Quartet No. 4, American Mosaic Isidore String Quartet
Felix Mendelssohn String Octet, Op.20
Netanel Draiblate, Concertmaster
Christian Tremblay, Principal Second Violin
Sarah Hart, Principal Viola
Todd Thiel, Principal Cello with the Isidore String Quartet
Stay tuned for details on an educational engagement with Isidore Quartet members and students of the Annapolis Symphony Academy.
The first half of the program features two works performed by Isidore String Quartet: Haydn's milestone String Quartet in F minor, Op. 20, No. 5 and Billy Childs’ Quartet No. 4 (2026) recently premiered by Isidore String Quartet. Winners of a 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the 14th Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2022, the New York City based Isidore String Quartet was formed in 2019 with a vision to revisit, rediscover, and reinvigorate the repertory. The quartet is heavily influenced by the Juilliard String Quartet and the idea of “approaching the established as if it were brand new, and the new as if it were firmly established.”
The program culminates in Mendelssohn’s Octet, composed when the Romantic prodigy was just 16 years old. One of the most iconic works in the chamber music canon, the Octet dazzles with its youthful exuberance, melodic brilliance, and intricate textures. In a rare and exhilarating collaboration, the Isidore Quartet joins forces with principal musicians from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.
please visit
BE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS! Details on ASO Chamber Concerts for the 2026-27 season to be announced.
YOUR EXCLUSIVE CHANCE TO HEAR THE ASO AT STRATHMORE THIS SEASON!
Myths & Mountains
WITH ESTHER YOO, VIOLIN
APRIL 11, 2027 |MUSIC CENTER AT STRATHMORE, 3:00 PM
JEAN SIBELIUS
Tapiola , Op. 112
MAX BRUCH
Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Esther Yoo, violin
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
TICKETS STARTING AT JUST $25
Three Ways to Join the ASO Community:
Need flexibility? Choose 3 or 4 Signature Series concerts for a FlexPass Subscription. Access to unforgettable performances of your choice.
Love your seat? Purchase a Signature Series
Subscription to lock in your favorite seat at the best price. Subscribers also enjoy discounts on additional tickets — bring more friends to the show! Subscribers: renew your subscription before May 31, 2026 to keep your current seat!
Enjoy a performance! Buy Single Tickets and create your own concert experience. Single Tickets go on sale August 1, 2026. Signature and FlexPass subscribers receive discounts on select single tickets. Please see pages 54 for more information.
Subscribe online at annapolissymphony.org/subscribe
Signature Series subscribers have the opportunity to keep their favorite seats when they renew season to season.
If you are unable to attend a concert, call the Box Office at 410 263 0907 to donate your tickets back to the ASO. You will receive an acknowledgement of your tax deductible contribution in the mail.
The ASO offers no fee ticket exchanges within the same season.
Price Guarantee and Discounts
Enjoy special discounts on Holiday Pops performances. Subscriber ticket pricing is guaranteed all season long.
Learn about added performances and announcements about the launch of the 2027 28 season first.
SUBSCRIBER
The most benefits at the best price!
Guaranteed Pricing
Enjoyed locked in prices all season long
Keep Your Favorite Seat
Signature Series subscribers keep their seats throughout the season, and whenever they renew their subscription Holiday Pops
Signature Series subscribers can purchase tickets to Holiday Pops at Maryland Hall or Severna Park High School before tickets go on sale to the general public.
Discounts on Extra Tickets
Signature Series subscribers receive 20% off of additional tickets to any Signature Series or Matinee concert at Maryland Hall, and Holiday Pops at Maryland Hall and Severna Park High School.
Online Patron Portal
Signature Series subscribers have a personal online account where you can purchase tickets, receive discounts, review current orders, and complete your subscription renewal.
Find out first
Signature Series subscribers receive email and SMS messages about special events and the upcoming season before the general public.
*Prices are inclusive of ticket processing fees
Renewing subscribers have until May 31, 2026 to confirm their subscription.
1. Renew your Signature Series Subscription at the concerts on April 10 & 11
2. Subscribe online at annapolissymphony.org/subscribe
3. Subscribe via mail by sending a check to our Box Office
4. Call or email our Box Office: 410-263-0907 or info@annapolissymphony.org
Ultimate Flexibility
Choose 3 or 4 of our Signature Series concerts and choose the Friday and Saturday Signature Series concert dates that work with your schedule. The greatest advantage of our FlexPass is flexibility to mix and match your favorite music, guest artists, and dates!
Discounts on Extra Tickets
FlexPass Series subscribers receive 20% off Holiday Pops tickets at Maryland Hall and Severna Park High School.
Holiday Pops Concert Presale
FlexPass subscribers can purchase tickets to Holiday Pops at Maryland Hall or Severna Park High School before tickets go on sale to the general public.
Find out first
FlexPass subscribers receive email and SMS messages about special events and the upcoming season before the general public.
any 3 or 4 of either Friday or Saturday concert dates.
• Purchase your subscription at the concerts on April 10 & 11
• Buy online at AnnapolisSymphony.org/subscribe
• Email the Box Office at info@annapolissymphony.org
• Call the Box Office at 410-263-0907
*Parterre seating is not available for FlexPass subscriptions.
Discover the future of classical music.
The ASO established the Annapolis Symphony Academy (ASA) to provide accessible music education. In its 9th year and with over 160 students enrolled, the ASA provides private lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and solo performance opportunities. It also offers Discovery, an early music program held throughout Anne Arundel County in local community centers and schools.
ASO musicians join ASA Ensembles performances sitting side by side with the students, serving as mentors and teachers.
Join us for FREE concerts showcasing the extraordinary talent of our young musicians.
WE OFFER PROGRAMS AND ENSEMBLES FOR EVERY ASPIRING YOUNG MUSICIAN
Private Lessons Ensemble Group Classes Early Music Classes
Do not let cost stand in the way. Reach out to learn more about our need-based financial aid.
May 17, 2026 | 9 am-5 pm
ASA Day at Maryland Hall, including Lyra, Aquarius, Aries and Orion performances June 1, 2026 | 8 pm
Orion Youth Orchestra debuts at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with the ASO. This is a ticketed event, open to the public and members of the League of American Orchestras.
ASA EVENTS: (Dates TBD)
Winter and Spring Recitals Ensemble Winter Concerts
The Cecelia Wyatt Honors Recital ASA Day
All ASA performances are FREE and open to the public. Visit TunedToYouth.org for more information.
SPONSOR A MUSICIAN AND HELP OUR ORCHESTRA THRIVE.
When you sponsor an ASO musician, you become an essential part of sustaining the performing arts in our community, helping our music take root, grow, and flourish like a living landscape. Your support ensures that the ASO continues to attract and retain exceptional, professional musicians who bring passion, artistry, and excellence to every performance.
Your sponsorship is an investment in the long term artistic vitality and integrity of the orchestra. You are planting seeds today that will bloom for generations.
Over 70 professional musicians fill our stage for ASO Signature Series and Pops concerts, creating a rich canopy of sound. Most of these musicians are tenured, which means their work with us provides strong roots that sustain artistic excellence.
In total, ASO musicians perform nearly 70 concerts and community events each year; their collective impact reaches tens of thousands of people annually, spreading music across our region like sunlight. Sponsorships are available for all tenured seats.
Please contact Erica Bondarev Rapach at ebr@annapolissymphony.org to discuss a musician sponsorship. We thank our sponsors for their dedication and support.
YOUR COMMITMENT AS A DONOR HELPS KEEP EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC ALIVE.
“Siblings” by Pam Ehrenfield
Music, like nature, does not thrive by accident. It grows where it is nurtured.
A symphony orchestra is a living ecosystem — artists, audiences, students, and supporters all connected in a vibrant and interdependent community. When you give to the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, you help cultivate the soil in which creativity takes root and excellence flourishes.
Your generosity sustains the musicians whose artistry forms the heartwood of our organization. It carries music into schools, hospitals, parks, and neighborhoods — like wind carrying melody across open fields. It ensures that young people encounter live music for the first time and discover new possibilities within themselves. It provides moments of comfort and healing where they are needed most.
Ticket revenue alone cannot sustain the full breadth of this work. Philanthropy is the sunlight that allows it to grow.
Each gift — no matter the size — strengthens the entire landscape of our community. It allows us to remain artistically bold, financially stable, and deeply rooted in service. It ensures that the music we cherish today will continue to rise and resonate tomorrow.
When you give, you are not simply supporting concerts. You are helping something enduring take root — and bloom.
We offer our heartfelt gratitude to donors through special benefits — including exclusive events, unique access to our musicians, and public recognition — all detailed on our website.
To support the ASO, please visit AnnapolisSymphony.org/support or contact us at: Development@AnnapolisSymphony.org 410 267 3635. DONATE
FASO is a dedicated group of music lovers and super fans of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. The group hosts fundraising events throughout the year that benefit the ASO and collaborates on grant support for the orchestra’s programming and scholarships for Academy students.
It’s easy to join! Visit AnnapolisSymphony.org/Support/FASO
Membership:
$50/person or $75/couple
Contact info: 410-267-3646 friends@annapolissymphony.org
Officers/Executive Committee:
Stephen Holt, presiden t
Robert J. Foye, VP Ways & Means
Marguerite Cole, VP Membership
David Bush, Treasurer
Charlotte Byrd, Recording Secretary
Renee Ehler, Corresponding Secretary
Directors:
John A. Andryszak
Betsy E. Chotin
Kathy Clatanoff
Elizabeth Gordon Bluntschli
Patrick M. Green
Julie Grudzinskas
Valerie Gutterson
Lynn C. Maichle
Erin O'Neill
Carol Richards
Joan Russell
Douglas Steele
Ann A. Tran
The Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) organization. Dues and donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, providing no goods or services are realized by joining.
ERICA BONDAREV RAPACH
Executive Director
ebr@AnnapolisSymphony.org
Discovery Coordinator, Annapolis Symphony Academy
JAKE FEWX jfewx@AnnapolisSymphony.org
SARAH JOHANSEN
Director of Business and Finance Operations
sjohansen@AnnapolisSymphony.org
KELLY M. BURDICK
Development Manager
kburdick@annapolissymphony.org
MIRIAM FOGEL
Director of Artistic Operations
mfogel@AnnapolisSymphony.org
DIANA LOVE dlove@AnnapolisSymphony.org
Director of Marketing and Communications
Founder and Director, Annapolis Symphony Academy
NETANEL DRAIBLATE ndraiblate@AnnapolisSymphony.org
HEATHER HAUGHN hhaughn@AnnapolisSymphony.org
Director of Artistic Operations, Annapolis Symphony Academy
MAYA MCATEE
Administrative Coordinator
mmcatee@AnnapolisSymphony.org
Director of Community Engagement and Institutional Giving and Associate Director, Annapolis Symphony Academy
JULIE NOLAN jnolan@AnnapolisSymphony.org
CAITLIN WRIGHT cwright@annapolissymphony.org
Sales and Marketing Manager
JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO
Artistic Director & Annapolis Symphony Academy Director of Orchestral Activities
jlnovo@AnnapolisSymphony.org
Orchestra Librarian
OLIVIA REN oren@AnnapolisSymphony.org
ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 801 Chase Street, Suite 204 Annapolis, MD 21401 410-263-0907 Box Office | 410-269-1132 Admin
* in alphabetical order
KATHERINE EDWARDS, MD Chair
MICHELLE HELLSTERN Vice Chair
ANN WHITCOMB Vice President-Finance
STEPHEN SOTACK Treasurer
MONIQUE Y. LANGSTON, MD Secretary
SHELLEY ROW Immediate Past Chair
ROBERT ARIAS
KAREN BELL-WRIGHT
ANDY BIENSTOCK
MAGGIE COLE
WILLIAM DAVIS
SONJA GLADWIN
CHARLES GRUDZINSKAS
ERICA
COLLOT GUERARD, ESQ.
WILLIAM HOFF
MIMI JONES
JEANNE KELLY
LISA NOLAN
JEFF SCHERR
MARIE TREANOR
ANN TRAN, MD
BONDAREV RAPACH Executive Director
STEPHEN HOLT
FASO Board Representative
JOSÉ-LUIS NOVO Artistic Director & Conductor
ORCHESTRA REPRESENTATIVE
ALEXANDRA MIKHLIN Musicians’ Representative, Players’ Committee
* As of April 1, 2026. Subject to change.
Single tickets for concerts in our 2026 27 season will be available for sale beginning August 1, 2026. Tickets can be purchased online at annapolissymphony.org/events or by calling the Symphony Box Office at 410 263 0907.
Groups of 10 or more receive a 15% discount on tickets. Please email or call the Box Office to arrange group sales. With a group of 10 or more, receive a 15% discount on all tickets.
Subscribers may exchange their tickets for the alternate performance of the same concert only. Exchanges are subject to availability.
All subscribers can purchase Holiday Pops tickets starting April 10, 2026. Subscribers receive 20% off Holiday Pops tickets.
To purchase Holiday Pops tickets online and receive the 20% discount, Signature Series Subscribers can log into their Patron Portal. FlexPass subscribers must call the box office. Tickets cannot be purchased online until August 1, 2026, when tickets go on sale to the public.
Latecomers will only be seated at the conclusion of a musical selection.
Subscribers may donate tickets back to the Symphony as a tax deductible contribution. We will mail you an acknowledgement letter for your donation.
There are no refunds and all ticket sales are final. If there are changes to the program, ticket holders will be contacted with options.
Signature Series Subscribers can use their 20% off discount to save on additional tickets to select concerts. Please purchase tickets with the discount through your patron portal starting August 1, 2026.
Student tickets are $15. Military, Law Enforcement, and First Responder ticket discounts are also available. Please call the Box Office to redeem these discounts starting August 1, 2026.
Please note the nearest exit to your seat. In the event of fire or another emergency, WALK — do not run — to that exit.
In the event of severe weather, every effort will be made to continue with scheduled concerts. No refunds will be given if a concert is performed during severe weather but not attended by the ticket holder.
Enjoy beverages and snacks before the concert and at intermission in Room 206. Cash and credit cards are accepted. Drinks are allowed in the concert hall.
Parking, ramp, and elevator facilities are available at the entrance nearest Spa Road. Wheelchair accessible seating is also available. Please call 410 263 0907 to make arrangements.
* All artists, programs, and prices subject to change.
Annapolis Bows & Violins
Annapolis Heritage Society
Annapolis Moms Media
Annapolis Musicians Fund for Musicians
Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS)
APEX Arts Magnet Program
Anne Arundel Recreation & Parks Department
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Banneker Douglass
Harriett Tubman Museum
Baywoods of Annapolis
Bowie State University
Chesapeake Arts Center
Chesapeake Inspired & Donna Jefferson
City of Annapolis Heritage Commission
City of Laurel Health & Wellness Fair
Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County
Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain
Elville Center for the Arts
Friends of Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (FASO)
Ginger Cove Retirement Community
Historic Annapolis
Hospice of Chesapeake
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, Lanham
Luminis Health McNew Mental Health Center
Luminis Health Pathways Substance Use Services
Marshall Hope Learning Center
Maryland Commission on Middle Eastern Affairs
Maryland Council for Civic & History Education
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Maryland State Arts Council
Maryland State Government House
Naptown Sings
Park Rangers & Staff at Quiet Waters Park & Downs Park
Rotary of Annapolis
St. John’s University
Temple Beth Shalom
The Annapolis Opera
The Complete Player, Youth Empowerment
The Light House
The Salvation Army
The Talent Machine Company, Inc
Wellness House of Annapolis
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