The Cal Poly Symphony offers up something a little different this year, a collaborative season opener that features a side-by-side performance (teachers and students), captivating chamber music and a beloved symphony.

The concert opens with the Madrone String Quartet as the soloists on Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis,” for double string orchestra and solo string quartet. 

Three members of the Madrone String Quartet are applied music faculty–Emily Lanzone (violin), Mike Whitson (viola) and Laura Gaynon (cello). They are joined by guest artist Valerie Berg-Johansen (violin). These four musicians bring extensive experience in performance and education to this collaboration. After performing the Vaughan Williams, the group performs Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 6 in F Minor, Op. 80.

The concert will conclude with Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor “From the New World” performed by the entire Cal Poly Symphony. This very famous work is rich in folk songs and singable melodies and it is always an audience favorite. 

For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website.