By Millie Masse

For the Austin Daily Herald

The Austin Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce their concert season “A Season of Jubilation.”

And indeed there is much to celebrate! No. 1 this is the beginning of the ASO’s 62nd year.  No. 2 this season marks  Conductor Stephen J. Ramsey’s 25th year as musical director and conductor. No. 3 the four concerts of this season feature outstanding soloists and inspiring, uplifting repertoire. No. 4, this year, for the first time, the purchase of a season ticket for the ASO concerts will include with it the opportunity to attend three  Rochester Symphony concerts at no extra charge.  

The first concert of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, “Celebrate Old Friends” will be 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, in Knowlton Auditorium. Both of the featured artists in this concert are beloved friends of the Austin Symphony, having appeared with the ASO before.

Roberto Plano, pianist, will play Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”  Kaitlin Ramsey will read the poetry she has written to accompany Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” The ASO will also play the dashing “Danzon No. 2” by Marquez.

The second concert, “Celebrate New Friends” will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9 in the Knowlton Auditorium.  This is the Andy & Bing Show.  Featured new friends are Super Bowl champion Ben Utecht and veteran singer Mick Sterling and their fabulous backup singers and instrumentalists.

Utecht, the Rochester native who went on to a career in the National Football League, is now a prfessional singer.  He sings Andy Williams’ Christmas favorites, while Mick Sterling will sing Bing Crosby holiday tunes.

The third concert, “Celebrate Close Friends” will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Close friend Holly Dalager, oboist , will play Lebrun’s  “Oboe Concerto No. 1” and our close friend, Sonia Larson, will direct the ASO Chorus in “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest. The third number will be Sibelius’ “In Springtime.

The ASO’s final concert of the season will be “Celebrate Tony Ross.”

For nearly 27 years, Anthony (Tony) Ross has been the principal cellist and fervent advocate for the Minnesota Orchestra. Tony will play Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with the Austin Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 in Knowlton Auditorium.

Tickets are available online at www.austinmnsymphony.org.