The Southern Miss Symphony Orchestra will close its 106thconcert season with “Ground of White,” a celebration of American music, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Main Street Baptist Church.
The performance marks the culmination of the Symphony’s “American Perspectives” season, which has explored the evolution, diversity and spirit of American composition.
Throughout the season, the Symphony presented a range of repertoire, from European masterworks to contemporary compositions. Highlights included jazz-inspired works by Mary Lou Williams featuring the Aaron Diehl Trio, works by John Adams and a residency with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Julia Wolfe. The finale brings the season to a close with a program rooted in American themes.
Opening the concert is an orchestral setting of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Luigi Zaninelli, a retired artist-in-residence with ties to Southern Miss and the community. The arrangement features chorus and offers a fresh interpretation of the national anthem.
The program also includes “Frostiana” by Randall Thompson, performed in collaboration with the Hattiesburg Choral Union under the direction of Greg Fuller. The work, a collection of settings of poetry by Robert Frost, was written for the bicentennial of Amherst, Massachusetts, and blends accessible musical language with nuanced choral textures.
Also featured is a vibrant arrangement of the folk song “Cindy” by Mack Wilberg, known for his work with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The piece brings lively rhythms, colorful orchestration and unexpected musical turns to the program.
The program will conclude with Symphony No. 3 by Aaron Copland, widely regarded as one of the defining works of American symphonic literature. Composed in the final years of World War II and commissioned by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the symphony reflects both the optimism and complexity of its era. Incorporating themes from Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man,” the four-movement work builds to a powerful finale.
From soaring melodies and intricate rhythms to moments of quiet reflection, Symphony No. 3 captures a broad range of expression and provides a fitting close to the season.
Audiences are invited to attend the finale, which highlights a season defined by artistic growth, collaboration and musical discovery.
Tickets are available online through the Southern Miss Ticket Office or by calling 800.844.8425. For more information, visit the Symphony website or the Southern Miss School of Music website.