Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra to perform Feb. 27

On Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Eisenhower Auditorium, the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a diverse program featuring winners of the orchestras’ concerto competition. Tickets are $12.50 for adults, $4.50 for students and can be purchased online or at the box office on the day of the concert. The event will also be livestreamed. The central piece of the program is Florence Price’s “Symphony No. 3.” Price is noted as the first Black woman to be recognized as a symphonic composer, and the first to have a composition played by a major orchestra. The Symphony in four movements is influenced by the great romantic symphonists of the 19^th century, but also includes a movement called “Juba,” an African dance brought by slaves to America during the same time period. For the first time, the orchestra will perform a Guzheng Concerto called “The Eternal Sorrow” by He Zhanhao, featuring Ying Lam Chu, a graduate student from Hong Kong pursuing a master of music degree in orchestral conducting. Ryan Peterson, a senior in horn performance, will be featured on the first and second movements of Richard Strauss’ Horn Concerto. Known for his tone poems and operas, this early work was dedicated to his father who was a virtuoso horn player. The program is completed with a world premiere by composition student Bradley Mikesell called “Tombstone Resonance.”