VSO Ensembles for your wedding or special event

The VSO's professional classical musicians are available to play for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, bar mitzvah, bat mitzvah, grand opening, memorial service -- any special event where classical music can add to the ambiance. From solo violinists to harpists to string quartets, we have a variety of ensembles to suit your occasion. Check out our website for more information. Keep reading for a video interview with Rebecca Kopycinski, Ensemble Coordinator. Or e-mail Rebecca for more information.

Keep reading!

"One GREEN Earth" to air on RETN

The VSO presents an orchestral youth concert every year as part of its SymphonyKids Educational Outreach programs and in conjunction with the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts Student Matinee Series. This year's program was all about conveying a message through music about sustainability and being "green." The Regional Educational Television Network (RETN) was on location and filmed the program. It will air on RETN North on Comcast and Burlington Telecom channel 16 (Burlington, Charlotte, Essex, Essex Junction, South Burlington, Winooski and Williston) plus RETN South on Comcast channel 16 (Charlotte, Ferrisbugh, Hinesburg, Saint George, Shelburne and Vergennes).

Here are the airtimes:

Friday, December 24 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 25 at 8 a.m.
Sunday, December 26 at 8 a.m.

We will announce more airings as we learn of them. Keep reading for detailed information about "One GREEN Earth."

"One GREEN Earth"
You probably know that Green Up Day is May 1, and you may know that Green Up Vermont is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2010, but did you know that the Vermont Symphony Orchestra is joining the campaign to protect our precious environment? On December 2, “One GREEN Earth” will premiere at the Flynn Center in Burlington!

Bill Shontz, CEO of the Children’s Music Hall of Fame and a veteran entertainer and educator, emcees the presentation. A video of photos taken on Green Up Day accompanies Shontz’s rendition of “Green Up.” For “One Earth,” powerful slides from EARTHWATCH have the lyrics super-imposed for an audience singalong. The orchestra plays works by Verdi, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Strauss, and John Williams.

Copland’s Shaker tune “’Tis a Gift to Be Simple” reflects a reverence for the natural world, while Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land” inspires us all! Other ingredients of the program are: a song about solar and wind power written and performed by students; a contest for schools to create instruments out of recycled materials; and musicians volunteering their eco-friendly resolutions for 2011. Keep reading!

Tickets still available for our Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus Holiday Concerts

There are still tickets available for our VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Chorus Holiday Concerts in Manchester on Sunday, December 19, and Brandon on Monday, December 20. Get in the spirit! Visit the event pages for information on how to purchase tickets or keep reading.


Adults $18
Seniors 65+ and students $15
Free under age 18 with adult purchase

Sunday, December 19, 4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Manchester
Tickets available at Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, (802) 362-3565.

Monday, December 20, 7:00 p.m.
Congregational Church, Brandon
Tickets available at Briggs Carriage Bookstore, Brandon, (802) 247-0050; Lake Sunapee Bank, Brandon, (802) 247-5771; and the Boys and Girls Club of Brandon, (802) 465-4131. Keep reading!

End of Endowment Campaign In Sight

We have raised 97% of the endowment goal of $3.5 million. To date, we have raised $3,393,130. Make a donation to our endowment campaign to ensure the longevity of your Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Help us end this campaign soon. E-mail Mike Peluse or call (800) 876-9293 x25 for more information or to donate. You can also make a donation online. Keep reading for more information about ways of giving and naming opportunities.

There are many ways to give to the VSO during this endowment campaign. Please consider these methods and find the one that best suits your current situation. In many cases you may find there are tax benefits with certain ways of giving; please discuss these with your financial advisor, and call us if you have specific questions. We ask you to remember that annual giving remains a crucial part of our operations, and we hope you will maintain your support for today, while participating in this campaign for the future.

A cash contribution is the easiest way to give, and can be spread over several years.

Gifts of stock, mutual funds, or bonds are a popular way to give and most donors find this a more advantageous way to make a generous gift.

Paid insurance policies are welcomed as a contribution to the campaign.

You may have property or tangible goods you would like to donate. Please be aware that tax law requires you to obtain an appraisal of any tangible goods valued at $5,000 or more, prior to your donation, and that immediate sale of the gift may affect the limits of its tax deductibility. In the case of a gift of real estate, you may need to have an environmental appraisal.

Planned gifts are an increasingly popular way to make a long-term impact with your contribution. This could include trusts, retirement funds, charitable gift annuities and other estate planning methods. As a tax exempt organization, we can benefit from a variety of trust arrangements which carry substantial benefits for the donor.

Bequests are the ultimate gift to the VSO. Although a bequest cannot be counted in our campaign goal until it is realized, we would like to recognize your plans by including you among our Legacy Society, which is acknowledged annually. Please let us know if you have made provision for a gift to the VSO in your will.

Your contribution to the VSO will make a significant difference in the future. We are deeply grateful for your participation in this campaign. E-mail Mike Peluse, Development Director, or call (800) VSO-9293 x 25 if you would like to discuss any aspect of your giving plans.

A gift of any size may be made to the general endowment or to an already established endowment fund. Listed below are special opportunities in the current campaign to name a specific fund in perpetuity.*

Music Director Chair $1,500,000
Chorus Director Chair $500,000
Guest Artist Chair $500,000
Principal Guest Conductor Chair $400,000

Concertmaster Chair $400,000
Assistant Concertmaster Chair $250,000
Principal Chair $200,000
Section Chair $150,000

Masterworks Series $1,250,000
Made in Vermont Tour $500,000
Summer Festival Tour $1,250,000
Holiday Pops Series $375,000

SymphonyKids Education Programs $1,000,000
SymphonyKids Components:
Musicians-in-the-Schools $500,000
Musical Petting Zoo $150,000
Orchestral Youth Concert Tour $250,000

* Other naming opportunities are available, as well as five- or ten-year options. Honorary or memorial gifts are also welcome. Please feel free to discuss your ideas with Alan Jordan, VSO Executive Director, or Mike Peluse, Development Director. Keep reading!

Special ticket deal for the Burlington Holiday Pops concert this Saturday

Special e-deal for groups of friends and families!! Purchase a group of three or more tickets for the VSO's Holiday Pops concert on Saturday, December 11 at the Flynn Center in Burlington and pay only $15 for each ticket. This deal must be redeemed at the Flynn Box Office in person on Main Street in Burlington or by calling (802) 86-FLYNN. You must use the following code: "FAMILYRUSH." Gather your family and friends for this festive holiday concert!!

Visit the event page.

Keep reading for complete program information.


Robert De Cormier, conductor
VSO Chorus
Susanne Peck, soprano
Amy Frostman, alto

VIVALDI Gloria
GERMAN King Henry VIII: Three Dances
ANDERSON, arr. Brymer Sleigh Ride
DE CORMIER, arr. Joy to the World
DE CORMIER, arr. Hayo Haya
DE CORMIER, arr. Light One Candle
BASS Gloria
DE CORMIER, arr. O Come All Ye Faithful
MENOTTI Introduction, March, and Shepherd’s Dance from Amahl and the Night Visitors
DE CORMIER, arr. Mary Had a Baby
DE CORMIER, arr. Jehovah Hallelujah
DE CORMIER, arr. Shout for Joy
HANDEL Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
AUDIENCE SINGALONG Keep reading!

Holiday Pops: Glory Hallelujah this weekend

This weekend, join the VSO under Robert De Cormier, soprano Susanne Peck, alto Amy Frostman, and the VSO Chorus for our annual festive favorite: Holiday Pops. The theater will ring with two Glorias, two Hallelujahs, three spirituals, music from the court of King Henry VIII, excerpts from “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” and (of course!) an audience singalong. We will be visiting the Barre Opera House on Friday, the Flynn Center in Burlington on Saturday, and the Paramount Theatre in Rutland for a matinee on Sunday. Tickets are going fast, so visit the event pages for information on ticket outlets.

Click to visit the Barre Opera House event on Friday, December 10.

Click to visit the Flynn Center event on Saturday, December 11.

Click to visit the Paramount Theatre event on Sunday, December 12.

Keep reading for the complete program information.


Robert De Cormier, conductor
VSO Chorus
Susanne Peck, soprano
Amy Frostman, alto

VIVALDI Gloria
GERMAN King Henry VIII: Three Dances
ANDERSON, arr. Brymer Sleigh Ride
DE CORMIER, arr. Joy to the World
DE CORMIER, arr. Hayo Haya
DE CORMIER, arr. Light One Candle
BASS Gloria
DE CORMIER, arr. O Come All Ye Faithful
MENOTTI Introduction, March, and Shepherd’s Dance from Amahl and the Night Visitors
DE CORMIER, arr. Mary Had a Baby
DE CORMIER, arr. Jehovah Hallelujah
DE CORMIER, arr. Shout for Joy
HANDEL Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
AUDIENCE SINGALONG Keep reading!

VSO viola auditionee featured in "Hackie"

Check it out! Click this link to read!


Keep reading!

Special ticket deal for the December 4 Masterworks concert

With fewer than 30 tickets left for the December 4 Masterworks concert this Saturday, we have decided to sell the remaining tickets for only $25. You could save up to $38 off face value. Act quickly, though, as this concert will sell out. The discount must be redeemed through the Flynn Regional Box Office in person on Main Street in Burlington or by calling (802) 86-FLYNN. Use the following code: RUSHDEAL. Keep reading for program information about this concert or click here to read the program notes on this blog.


2010/2011 Masterworks Series 2
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Flynn Center, Burlington

The cutting edge ensemble eighth blackbird performs "On a Wire," for sextet and orchestra, the latest work from 2010 Pulitzer prize-winner Jennifer Higdon, during this co-presentation by the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and Flynn Center. The VSO's second Masterworks series program, led by Principal Guest Conductor Anthony Princiotti, opens with Weber's popular Euryanthe Overture and closes with the epitome of Finnish nationalism, Sibelius' Symphony No. 2.

Anthony Princiotti, conductor
eighth blackbird

WEBER Overture to Euryanthe
JENNIFER HIGDON On a Wire, Concerto for Sextet and Orchestra
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 Keep reading!

Tickets for VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts available today

Tickets for all five of the VSO's Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts are available today! From Thursday, December 16, through Monday, December 20, Robert De Cormier the VSO's brass quintet and the twelve-person Counterpoint chorus, criss-cross the state bringing a festive mix of brass and voices to intimate venues. Keep in mind the concerts on December 16 in Warren and December 18 in Grafton are free to the public and tickets go quickly, so keep reading for ticket information regarding these and our other concerts in Jay, Manchester, and Brandon.

Thursday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Warren United Church, Warren
Free admission; ticket required; limit four tickets per person. Tickets available beginning December 1 at the Bradley House in Warren, (802) 496-9714.
Sponsored by the Warren Arts Committee and Mary Jane Burry, in memory of Marion Hogue and Colonel Frank Burry


Friday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.
International Room at Jay Peak Resort, Jay
Free wine tasting 6 - 7:15 p.m.
Adults $15 or $10 with a food drive donation; Adult dinner and concert $30 or $25 with food drive donation; Children $5; Children dinner and concert $20; Food donations go to the Jay Food Shelf.
Tickets are available at the Woodknot Bookshop and Turner's Cafe in Newport by calling (802) 334-6720; Jay Peak Resort by calling (802) 327-2500; and the VSO by calling (800) 876-9293 x 10.
Sponsored by: Jay Peak Resort & Louis Jadot Wines


Saturday, December 18, 5:00 p.m.
The White Church, Grafton
Free admission; ticket required; limit four tickets per person. Tickets available beginning December 1 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Grafton Grocery Market in Grafton.
As in the past, this concert has been underwritten as a gift to the town of Grafton.


Sunday, December 19, 4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Manchester
Adults $18; Seniors 65+ and students $15; Free under age 18 with adult purchase
Tickets available beginning December 1 at Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, (802) 362-3565.
Sponsored by:
The Southwest Friends of the VSO
Equinox Resort
Orvis


Monday, December 20, 7:00 p.m.
Congregational Church, Brandon
Adults $18; Seniors 65+ and students $15; Free under age 18 with adult purchase
Tickets available beginning December 1 at Briggs Carriage Bookstore, Brandon, (802) 247-0050; Lake Sunapee Bank, Brandon, (802) 247-5771; and the Boys and Girls Club of Brandon, (802) 465-4131.
This concert is a benefit for the Boys and Girls Club of Brandon.
Sponsored by: Lake Sunapee Bank and Natural Elegance

Keep reading!