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The Hays Symphony is gearing up for another evening of musical excellence with its annual Arias and Concertos Concert, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
This event, celebrating the accomplished music students of Fort Hays State University, will showcase the winners of the Concerto/Aria Competition, an auditioned event held in December 2023.
Under the direction of Brian Buckstead, assistant professor of violin and viola at FHSU, the Hays Symphony will feature five exceptional soloists: Jiangzi "Deacon" Guo (cello), Mackenzie Bowers (mezzo soprano), Jackson Scott (marimba), Laurinda Lan (flute), and Xingyi "Jerry" Long (alto saxophone).
Board Chairwoman Sandy Jacobs said she is excited for the upcoming concert.
"Join the Hays Symphony for a special night celebrating the incredible talent of FHSU's music students,” Jacobs said. “The Arias and Concertos Concert promises an unforgettable showcase of skill and dedication from these outstanding performers."
Guo, a cello virtuoso from China, will perform the third movement of Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major.
Bowers, a senior pursuing a music education degree with a focus on voice, will enchant the audience with pieces from Dvořák and Verdi.
Scott, a percussion performance major, will showcase his marimba prowess with the second movement of Emmanuel Séjourné’s Concerto for Marimba and String Orchestra.
Lan, a flautist and cellist in the KAMS/AMS program, will perform Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 107.
Long, a saxophonist from Huaihua City, will captivate the audience with Darius Milhaud’s Scaramouche.
The concert is free and open to the public.
Attendees are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance on the symphony’s website, hayssymphony.org.
Additionally, a post-concert reception, sponsored by Insurance Planning, provides an opportunity to meet the musicians.
While the board is excited for the upcoming event, unfortunately, a second February concert has been cancelled.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances preventing the special conductor from China from attending the concert originally scheduled for Feb. 17, we had to call off the event,” Jacobs said. “However, the remainder of this year’s Hays Symphony events are still planned.”
For more information about the Hays Symphony, visit their website, hayssymphony.org. The organization also maintains a presence on social media, including Facebook.