On Sunday, Sept 19, the Auburn University Community Orchestra will start off its season with an outdoor performance at Kiesel Park in Auburn. According to Howard Goldstein, director of the ACO, this concert will be a preview of the remaining three shows.

The ACO was formed in 1997 as a partnership between the Auburn University Orchestra and the Auburn community. The orchestra is made up of both Auburn music students and musicians from the Auburn-Opelika area.

“We have about 50 people in the orchestra and from our community section, we have both pre-college students and players who are current and former faculty members of Auburn,” says Goldstein.

Goldstein has been apart of the Auburn University music department since 1992. In addition to conducting the ACO he also teaches music history, violin and conducting.

The ACO will play five pieces at this concert: Brahms’s Academic Festival Overture; Ravel’s Pavane for a Dead Princess; Verdi’s Triumphal March and Ballet Music from Aida; Strauss’s Emperor Waltz and Copland’s Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo.

“This concert will preview the pieces our audience will hear later in the year,” says Goldstein. “Brahms and Ravel will both be apart of our third show and Verdi will be the centerpiece of our final show of the year.”

The Strauss selection was chosen after a request from an 11-year old pre-college student in the Orchestra.

According to Meg Rainey, public relations specialist for the Auburn Parks and Recreation Department, this concert usually has about 175-200 people in attendance.

“We encourage attendees to bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic, and enjoy an afternoon of music in the shade,” says Rainey.

In order to prepare for the concert, the ACO holds weekly rehearsals every Tuesday and a dress rehearsal before the show begins on Sunday.

As the only outdoor concert of the season, Goldstein hopes that many people will come out and enjoy the nice weather and beautiful music.

“We want our audience to bring their family, food and even their dogs… as long as they bark in rhythm with the orchestra,” says Goldstein.

The concert will begin at 4 p.m. Additional concerts will be held on November 30, March 4 and April 17.

“This is one of the few true partnerships between the University and the community and we hope both students and community members will come out and enjoy our show.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will be relocated to the Band Hall in the Goodwin Music Building at Auburn University. To find out if the concert has been moved, please call 334-844-3167.

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