The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra (LSO) concludes the 2024-2025 season under the baton Conductor and Artistic Director Kellen Gray with “Born this Way,” on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The program will include Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, Lili Boulanger’s unique take on Impressionism and Valerie Coleman’s triumphant Umoja (Swahili for “Unity”). Each of these works honor the resilience of artists who express their true selves.
The program opens with Lili Boulanger’s Of a Spring Morning, which captures the fleeting freshness of spring, contrasted with Of a Sad Evening, which reflects a darker, more introspective side of Boulanger’s artistry. Rounding out the first half of the program will be Valerie Coleman’s Umoja, Anthem of Unity. Composed in 2020, Coleman’s word is a celebration of unity, resilience, and cultural pride. The second half of the program will feature Tchaikovsky’s “Pathetique” Symphony No. 6. In this, his final symphony, Tchaikovsky composed what is often interpreted as a deeply personal reflection on the struggles he faced in both his private and public life. In this performance, excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s personal diaries will be projected, offering insight into the emotional and psychological state that accompanied the composition of this symphony.
Conductor and Artistic Director Kellen Gray was born and raised in Rock Hill, South Carolina, life taking him on a diverse path ranging from orchestral violinist to beekeeper, before turning his full-time attention to conducting. In addition to his LSO appointment, he serves as Associate Artist of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and is a frequent guest conductor nationally, recently with the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington, D.C.) and Seattle Opera.
For information about upcoming events or to purchase advance tickets, visit lafayettesymphony.org or call 765-742-6463.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Long Center for the Performing Arts, 111 N 6th St, Lafayette, IN 47901
About Lafayette Symphony Orchestra:
Launched in 1951 as a non-profit organization, the LSO is focused on enriching the cultural life of the Greater Lafayette community and 14 surrounding counties through musical excellence and educational experience. About 80 percent of its patrons are from Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, while the remainder are from the surrounding counties of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tipton, Warren and White.
Website: LafayetteSymphony.org
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