Umoja, the Swahili word for “unity” and the first principle of the African holiday Kwanzaa, is a beautiful way to bring us together again. We begin our 99th season journey with a work of the same name by African-American composer Valerie Coleman. Our Principal Organist, Greg Zelek, plays one of the great works for organ and orchestra, Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante. Tommy Mesa thrilled audiences with Greg on our organ series program and again as a soloist with the Symphony. He returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. Our first concert of the season wraps up with a suite from Manuel de Falla’s colorful, Spanish-flavored ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat.
John DeMain, Conductor
Tommy Mesa, Cello
Greg Zelek, Organ