With the May 11 performance date looming for the Meadows at the Winspear annual benefit concert, The Meadows Symphony Orchestra and the Meadows Dance Ensemble moved their rehearsal space out of Owen Arts Center and into an unusual location: a practice basketball court in the SMU Crum Basketball Center.
On Wednesday, May 4, a team from SMU Facilities, along with Assistant Director for Music Operations David Brown, transported two full-size dance floors, 90 chairs, four tables, 60 music stands, sets, costumes, props, and a grand piano and set it all up under the basketball pennants and hoops.
The Meadows at the Winspear concert will feature the critically acclaimed Meadows Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Paul Phillips, and the Meadows Dance Ensemble, composed of top students from the Meadows School’s nationally respected dance program, in two works. The first is the premiere of a newly envisioned choreography of Stravinsky’s Firebird, created by Claudia Lavista and Victor Manuel Ruiz, noted artistic directors of the acclaimed Delfos Danza Contemporanea in Mazatlán, Mexico. The second is Martha Graham’s ballet masterpiece Appalachian Spring, featuring the world premiere of the newly completed, full orchestra version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning music by Aaron Copland. For the first time, audiences will be able to enjoy Graham’s iconic choreography accompanied by music played by a full symphony.
The orchestra and dancers will rehearse on the basketball court through Friday, May 6; on Saturday morning, May 7, everything gets packed up and transported to the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in the Dallas Arts District.
The annual spring concert benefits the Meadows Scholars Program at Meadows School of the Arts, and honors community leader and noted arts and civic patron Donna Wilhelm. The 2016 event chair is Heather Esping and the honorary chair is Melissa Fetter.
Tickets to the “Meadows at the Winspear” concert are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $17 for students and SMU faculty and staff. They are available through the AT&T Center for the Performing Arts box office; call 214-880-0202.
For SMU alumni, a concert ticket that includes a post-concert dessert and champagne reception is available for $50; $25 of the ticket price supports the Meadows Scholars Program. Call the Meadows Development Office at 214-768-4189 for alumni ticket information.
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Below are some of the photos:
