This year the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is inviting you to ring in the new year at their FREE virtual 2020 Maestro’s Ball!
Published: December 23, 2020
The power of music has a way of bringing all of us together, whether that’s in the concert hall, through headphones, or on a computer screen. This year the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is inviting you to ring in the new year virtually at the 2020 Maestro’s Ball!
In the spirit of coming together, for the first time ever, all four members of the ASO’s conducting staff will be taking part in this year’s festivities, including a special duo performance with Music Director Laureate Justin Brown and Music Director Carlos Izcaray. “The ASO is a family which I am proud to belong to, and its musicians and wide support network are very important to me,” says Justin Brown. “I am absolutely delighted to be able to celebrate the New Year together at this year’s Maestro’s Ball!”
The Maestro’s Ball is the Orchestra’s largest annual fundraiser, providing critical support for its many performances, education initiatives, and outreach programs benefiting all of the people of Alabama. As a way to give back to the community after the events of 2020, the ASO is offering this year’s Ball as a free online concert on the evening of Thursday, December 31 at 7 p.m. The gala will be a safe and physically distant New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring the music of Sibelius, Mendelssohn, and more! For those who are spending the holidays away from their loved ones, the ASO is giving music lovers a great way to connect with each other, no matter how far apart they are.
A FREE online concert on the evening of Thursday, December 31 at 7 p.m.
On presenting the ball digitally this year, Carlos Izcaray says, “The Orchestra has delighted audiences across Alabama for almost 100 years and during times like these when we look for joy and community, we need music now more than ever. Because of this, we are thrilled that we are able to give this gift of music to all Alabamians.” Izcaray is especially thrilled to collaborate with ASO Music Director Laureate Justin Brown in a performance of David Popper’s, “Begegnung ” for Cello and Piano.
Maestro Izcaray will conduct the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in a few selections during the event, as will Principal POPS! Conductor Christopher Confessore. The Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra, conducted by Kevin Fitzgerald, will also present a stirring performance from the finale of Dvorak’s Ninth Symphony.
Since March of 2020, the Orchestra has had to cancel or postpone over 100 concerts and programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. ASO Interim Executive Director and General Manager, Mark Patrick says, “While COVID-19 has certainly brought its challenges to our organization, it’s also given us new opportunities to connect with patrons virtually across the state and beyond. We are so excited to be able to bring this year’s Maestro’s Ball to every home in Alabama.”
As this year comes to a close, the ASO continues to be grateful for the outpouring of love and support from patrons and music lovers everywhere. The Orchestra cites this vital community support for allowing it to serve over 15,000 students, and 250 Alabama schools annually. For more information on this free online event, visit alsymphony.org/MaestrosBall.