Hays Symphony Orchestra
The Hays Symphony Orchestra will continue its season with an evening of rich and resonant string music with, “Fall Classics: Simply Strings.”
The free performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20, within St. Joseph Catholic Church, 215 W. 13th St.
Under the direction of Benjamin Cline, the orchestra’s string sections will be featured exclusively, performing a diverse program that spans from the Baroque era to the 21st century.
The concert is designed to highlight the versatility, power, and profound beauty of the string family, offering a unique auditory experience for the community.
The selection of St. Joseph Catholic Church as the venue was a deliberate choice to enhance the all-strings repertoire.
Its soaring architecture and resonant acoustics provide an ideal environment for the nuanced tones of violins, violas, cellos, and basses to flourish, Cline said.
“Presenting a strings-only concert is a wonderful way to focus on the core sound and emotional heart of the orchestra,” he said. “The repertoire for ‘Simply Strings’ is a journey through time and texture. We are creating an intimate yet powerful atmosphere, and the magnificent acoustics of St. Joseph’s will amplify every subtle detail, making the music a truly immersive experience for our audience.”
The program will begin with Francesco Geminiani’s vibrant Concerto Grosso, Op. 5, No. 12, famously known as “La Folia.” Based on a centuries-old Portuguese folk tune, this Baroque masterpiece is a thrilling set of variations that showcases the technical brilliance and dynamic interplay between the string sections.
The concert then moves to contemporary works, beginning with “Anthem and Chorale for Strings” by Spanish-American cellist and composer Andrea Casarrubios. This modern piece explores a rich palette of harmonic colors, contrasting stately, hymn-like passages with moments of sweeping, anthem-like grandeur, reflecting a deep emotional landscape.
Following this is “Três Pequenas Variações” (“Three Small Variations”) by the Brazilian-American composer Clarice Assad. Known for fusing elements of Brazilian popular music, jazz, and classical traditions, Assad’s work promises to be a rhythmically engaging and melodically inventive exploration of a central theme.
The program also features “Eventide” by American composer Chris Pilsner. A beautifully lyrical and atmospheric piece, “Eventide” evokes the serene and contemplative mood of twilight. Its lush harmonies and soaring melodies have made it a favorite among modern string orchestra compositions.
“This program demonstrates the incredible evolution of string writing,” Cline said. “We have the fiery virtuosity of Geminiani’s Baroque variations set against the deeply personal and modern voices of Casarrubios, Assad, and Pilsner. Each piece tells its own story, but together they paint a comprehensive picture of what a string orchestra can achieve. It’s a showcase of passion, reflection, and pure sonic beauty.”
The evening will conclude with Ralph Vaughan Williams’s magnificent Concerto Grosso. A giant of 20th-century English music, Vaughan Williams composed this piece with a unique structure intended to involve players of all skill levels. The work divides the orchestra into a professional-level solo group (Concertino), the main orchestral body (Tutti), and a third group for beginners (Ad Lib), all weaving together to create a full, glorious sound. This structure embodies the spirit of community music-making, making it a fitting finale for the Hays Symphony, which itself is a blend of faculty, community, and student musicians.
“The Vaughan Williams piece is a celebration of collaboration,” Cline said. “It reflects our own orchestra’s mission of bringing together musicians from different backgrounds, from our university faculty to talented local players and dedicated students, to create something beautiful for our community. It’s a powerful statement about the unifying force of music.”
Free tickets for “Fall Classics: Simply Strings” are available online at hayssymphony.org.