Dr. Ron Crocker
Kearney Symphony Orchestra director, 308.865.8618
UNK – The Kearney Symphony Orchestra (KSO) will present a concert titled, “American Pi” on Tuesday, April 27, in the University of Nebraska at Kearney Fine Arts Recital Hall.
Directed by Dr. Ronald Crocker, the concert will open at 7:30 p.m. with Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide.” The Kearney High School Camerata, a select advanced instrumental ensemble consisting of 21 members, will also make an appearance during the concert with a piece titled, “In Memory” by Jean Henderson, which was written in memory of Larry Maupin.
“While several of the pieces on the program will be familiar to many audience members, “Grand Tarantelle” featuring Dr. Nathan Buckner on piano is especially fascinating and fun,” Dr. Crocker said.
The “Grand Tarantelle” for piano and orchestra by Louis Moreau Gottschalk was composed around 1858. Dr. Buckner currently serves as pianist for the UNK Faculty Piano Trio. He earned his undergraduate degree from The Juilliard School, a master of music degree from Indiana University and a doctorate from the University of Maryland.
The Kearney Symphony Orchestra and the KHS Camerata will be perform together on Leroy Anderson’s “Syncopated Clock,” “Bugler’s Holiday” and “Waltz Around the Scale.”
General admission tickets are $8 for the general public, and free for UNK students and faculty. Reservations can be made by contacting the UNK Box Office at 308.865.8417 from 12:30-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday or 12-4 p.m. on Friday. Tickets can also be purchased one hour before the performance or by e-mail at boxoffice@unk.edu.
Established in 2007, the Kearney High School Camerata orchestra is an advanced instrumental ensemble. Directed by David Klein, the orchestra received the overall outstanding ensemble in the Music in the Parks Festival in Denver and has earned superior ratings. They have also performed for several state and national conventions, including the Strictly Strings Music Festival in Grand Island.
The Kearney Symphony Orchestra is an organization for string, wind, brass and percussion players who want to perform and continue to improve musically. The orchestra provides symphonic concerts, and activities for university and community members in Central Nebraska, while providing opportunities for members of the community, university and other students to participate in a symphony orchestra. The orchestra has members of all ages.
