PROGRAM
Courtney Lewis Conductor
Carlos Simon Composer
In a firework season finale, Courtney Lewis leads the Jacksonville Symphony in Gershwin's iconic An American in Paris, which vividly depicts the bustling streets in the French capital. Closing the evening is Copland's landmark Third Symphony, capturing the spirit of America with patriotic orchestration. Also in the lineup is the third world premiere of the season with Carlos Simon’s Zodiak: a bold, new Jacksonville Symphony commission. Don’t miss this captivating fusion of jazzy charm, Americana and new musical voices, providing a fitting crescendo to a season and 75 years of exceptional musical experiences.
George Gershwin · An American in Paris
Carlos Simon · Zodiac (World Premiere)
Aaron Copland · Symphony No. 3
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FEATURED ARTISTS
Courtney Lewis Music Director, Haskell Endowed Chair
Anchored in the belief that music holds the power to transform lives, Courtney Lewis has established himself as one of his generation’s most dynamic conductors. Currently in his tenth season as Music Director of the Jacksonville Symphony, Lewis has designed an ambitious mission to enrich the surrounding community with innovative symphonic programming, creating the highest quality of art possible, accessible to all...continue reading
Photo by Liz Linder
Carlos Simon Composer
“My dad, he always gets on me. He wants me to be a preacher, but I always tell him, ‘Music is my pulpit. That’s where I preach,’” Carlos Simon reflected for The Washington Post. Having grown up in Atlanta, with a long lineage of preachers and connections to gospel music to inspire him, GRAMMY-nominated Simon proves that a well-composed song can indeed be a sermon. His music ranges from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel, and neo-romanticism...continue reading
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Classical Series