A Special Thanks for an Elegant Evening!

Everyone had such a fabulous evening at VSO's New Year's Eve Gala and we would like to take the time to thank everyone that made it possible. The silent auction was a great success; the donations were fantastic and caused some bid sparring. The Vermont Jazz Ensemble got the crowd dancing and the bagpipes were a special treat! Not to mention the board of directors and the Gala committee who took on an unbelievable amount of planning to make sure all the details were in order. And let's not forget those in attendance...thank you for buying tickets and we hope to see you next year!

We're happy to see that individuals have been sending us their photographs from the event, and we encourage those that feel compelled to reach out! We would love to see what you took so we can share them with our fans. Please send your photographs to us at: amycaldwell@vso.org.

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Preview the New Year's Eve Gala Silent Auction Items

We are excited to announce that the silent auction items for this year's New Year's Eve Gala at the Sheraton Hotel's Emerald Ballroom are beginning to come in. We are thrilled with the generosity that we've seen from local businesses and individuals who have donated this year. It's fantastic to see such support for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra.

While there's still more to come we have begun compiling a list of the items that have been donated so we can show you a preview of what will be offered. With the variety of items donated, from vacation destinations, dining experiences, fine jewelry, even an opportunity to conduct the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, we are sure there will be something that peaks your interests!

Preview the 2014 VSO New Year's Eve Gala's silent auction items here.

Not going to make it to the event this year? You will be missed, but fortunately we are offering the opportunity to place absentee bids. We encourage you to be in touch with Karen either by email: karen@vso.org or phone: 802-864-5741 x25 if you are interested in bidding. All absentee bids must be received by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in order to be considered. Review the complete bidding instructions here.

For those of you attending the event we look forward to seeing you and enjoying an elegant evening to ring in the new year!

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Black Friday SALE!

Buy One Get One Free concert tickets at The Flynn Box Office this Friday!

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Jill and the Beanstalk

Holiday Pops: Fun and Games is our festive three-concert tour to Barre, Burlington, and Rutland, December 9-11. The program -- in addition to pieces showcasing the youthful side of the season -- features a composition by a Vermont student. Her name is Eileen Kocherlakota (pictured) and her piece is a musical fractured fairy tale, Jill and the Beanstalk. Keep reading for a full description of the piece, Eileen's bio, and the complete tour schedule.

Eileen Kocherlakota is 14 years old, and a freshman at Burlington High School. Music has been a big part of her life ever since she started playing violin when she was 5 years old. Currently she studies violin with Evelyn Read and plays in the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association (VYOA). She started composing with the Vermont MIDI Project (VMP) when she was in fourth grade. She recently took music theory lessons with Erik Nielson and completed the theory courses offered by VYOA. She would like to thank Ms. Greene and Ms. Nolan, her music teachers in elementary and middle school, who fostered her interest in composition. She thanks Erik Nielsen, Matt Podd, and Zach Sheets, all composer mentors with the Vermont MIDI Project and Sandi MacLeod, Executive Director of VMP. She especially thanks her family for supporting her all the way.

The Vermont MIDI Project is a non-profit organization supporting young composers through a variety of technology tools. VMP enlists professional composers to provide feedback to students in an online mentoring website and supports teachers in music composition. Live performance opportunities of student compositions are offered through the Opus concerts and with organizations such as the VSO. Visit the website for more information.

Jill and the Beanstalk is a fractured fairy tale based on “Jack and the Beanstalk.” This updated rendition is told through music with narration throughout the piece. It is like another piece Eileen Kocherlakota wrote, based on the fairytale, ”Cinderella,” which was for a small ensemble of brass, piano and percussion. In Jill and the Beanstalk, similar to Peter and the Wolf, different instruments representing different characters. Jill’s theme is played by clarinets, the witch trading beans is represented by violins 1 and 2, the giantess’ dancing is numbly highlighted with flutes and a piccolo, and the giant comes to life with timpani and low brass. Please enjoy!

2011 Holiday Pops I: "Fun & Games"
The National Life Group Holiday Pops Concert
Friday, December 9, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Barre Opera House, Barre
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Visit the event page


2011 Holiday Pops II: "Fun & Games"
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Visit the event page


2011/2012 Sunday Matinee Series I/2011 Holiday Pops III
Sunday, December 11, 2011, 3:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, Rutland
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Holiday Pops: Fun and Games
Visit the event page Keep reading!

2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concert Tickets Available TODAY*!

Tickets are now available for our 2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts, happening in five communities around the state: Warren, Jay, Grafton, Manchester, and Brandon. These concerts are presented in intimate spaces and feature the twelve-member Counterpoint chorus and the VSO Brass Quintet joining forces to regale audiences with festive tunes sure to imbue holiday spirit. Conductor Nathaniel G. Lew leads in a program featuring works fit for the season. Keep reading for the complete schedule. Tickets for these concerts go fast, so be sure to secure your seats today.


*Please note tickets for the Grafton concert will not be available until Saturday, December 3.

2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts
Thursday, December 15, 7:30 p.m.
Warren United Church, Warren
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2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts
Friday, December 16, 7:30 p.m.
International Room at Jay Peak Resort, Jay
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2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts
Saturday, December 17, 5:00 p.m.
The White Church, Grafton
*Please note tickets for the Grafton concert will not be available until Saturday, December 3.
Visit the event page


2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts
Sunday, December 18, 4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Manchester
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2011 VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint Holiday Concerts
Monday, December 19, 7:00 p.m.
Brandon Congregational Church, Brandon
Visit the event page

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2011 Holiday Pops: Fun and Games

Apart from the eggnog…Christmas IS for kids! Celebrate Christmas 2011 with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra as we take a look at the youthful side of the holiday. Music that reflects a child’s sense of wonder and delight includes Bizet’s “Children’s Games,” the March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland, excerpts from Hansel & Gretel, and of course the Little Drummer Boy. After the Nutcracker’s Mouse King does battle with the tin soldiers, we debut a fractured fairy tale composed by a Vermont teenager. “Sleighride” and an audience singalong are musical stocking stuffers! Keep reading for the program, complete schedule and links to the individual events. Happy Holidays from the VSO!

Anthony Princiotti, conductor

ANDERSON Sleighride
BIZET Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games)
EILEEN KOCHERLAKOTA Jill and the Beanstalk
TCHAIKOVSKY Excerpts from The Nutcracker
HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel
DAVIS, arr. Wright Little Drummer Boy (Carol of the Drum)
TRADITIONAL Christmas Pop Singalong
SOUSA, arr. Smith Jingle Bells Forever

2011 Holiday Pops I: "Fun & Games"
The National Life Group Holiday Pops Concert
Friday, December 9, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Barre Opera House, Barre
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Visit the event page


2011 Holiday Pops II: "Fun & Games"
Saturday, December 10, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Visit the event page


2011/2012 Sunday Matinee Series I/2011 Holiday Pops III
Sunday, December 11, 2011, 3:00 p.m.
Paramount Theatre, Rutland
Anthony Princiotti, conductor
Holiday Pops: Fun and Games
Visit the event page 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!

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!

Shop for the holidays with the VSO

The VSO has a variety of gifts for that special music lover on your list, all specially priced for the holidays. "Christmas in Vermont," our newest recording featuring the VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint, will provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday gatherings. From water bottles to embroidered hats, the VSO Store will provide you with stocking stuffers and special surprises for everyone on your list. Visit our VSO Store today! Keep reading!