VERO BEACH — “That conductor is on fire; he’s so adorable,” said Cynthia Grabenbauer, watching Aaron Collins as he led the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra in a program entitled, Biegel performs Emerson & Anderson, the second in the orchestra’s Summer Series.
The Space Coast Symphony has been taking Vero Beach by storm, unleashing a flood of concerts highlighting everything from small ensembles to chamber orchestras and full symphonic presentations. Offering varied musical programs and ticket prices to fit all budgets, the group aspires to introduce classical music to the masses.
Despite its offer of free tickets to students 18 and under, the concert on Sunday at the Community Church of Vero Beach drew an enthusiastically appreciative but predominately older audience.
The concert got off to a strong start with an orchestral work by special guest composer Kenneth Fuchs, who was on hand to speak about his dramatic piece, United Artists. Next, piano soloist Jeffrey Biegel dazzled the audience with a piece entitled Piano Concerto No. 1, composed by renowned rocker Keith Emerson, of Emerson Lake & Palmer fame.
A selection of wonderful Leroy Anderson pieces followed the intermission; including another stunning performance by Biegel playing Anderson’s Concerto in C for Piano and Orchestra, and a sassy Clarinet Candy showpiece featuring four talented clarinetists. Biegel’s encore featured Abram Chasins’ fast-paced Rush Hour in Hong Kong.
Olske Forbes opened up her lovely Greenhouse Café for an after-party, giving concert-goers an opportunity to meet and mingle with Collins, Fuchs and the musicians.
“We’re not normally open on Sunday, but we’ve always supported the arts in every aspect,” said Forbes, who will host after-parties for upcoming Summer Series concerts as well. “Our chef, Ricky Cruz and his wife Beth are both here working tonight for this special dinner.”
“Their first concert made me fall in love with them,” enthused Renate Cropper speaking of the orchestra’s Latin Fiesta concert earlier in the month. “To me, it was one of the best I’ve heard in Vero.”
“The Fuchs piece was such an interesting work because of its structure,” said Cynthia Grabenbauer of the United Artists composition. “And the Emerson piece was complex and interesting. I said, pinch me; I’m paying only $25 to watch this?”
“They have a lot of youthful exuberance,” added her friend Gretchen Hanson. “And the piano soloist was just tremendous.”
Barbara and Bob Lipton used the occasion to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Dedicated music lovers, they have had season tickets since the start of both the Indian River Symphonic Association and Atlantic Classical Orchestra series and plan to do so with this orchestra as well.
“It was a surprise; I loved the entire program, but the Emerson just blew me away,” said Bob Lipton.
“I think it’s wonderful to expand our horizons by listening to pieces that aren’t played as often,” added his wife Barbara. “It’s fun to hear things that are different.”
Space Coast Symphony has an ambitious number of concerts lined up for the remainder of the summer and into the fall. Next in the Summer Series is “An American Portrait” on Sunday July 17, again at the Community Church of Vero Beach, featuring works by Bernstein, Rodgers, Gershwin, Copland and Ryther.
For a full listing of concerts, visit www.spacecoastsymphony.org or call (321) 536-8580.