The Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra will close its 2024-25 concert season with “New Beginnings,” a genre-spanning program led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Stude Concert Hall at Rice University. The concert marks Harth-Bedoya’s first time conducting the Symphony Orchestra since joining the Shepherd School faculty as distinguished resident director of orchestras and professor of conducting. Tickets are on sale now with pay-what-you-wish pricing. The performance will also be livestreamed.
The program features Gabriela Ortiz’s “Antrópolis,” a rhythmic celebration of Mexico City nightlife, and “aerial silk roads,” a 2024 work by Shepherd School alumnus and Cooper Prize winner Sam Wu. Also on the program are Ravel’s sweeping “La valse” and Elgar’s “Enigma Variations,” a heartfelt tribute to friendship and musical character.
“What excites me the most about the repertoire that we are going to play is the collaboration between the musicians and the variety of music styles that we get to bring in one musical meal,” Harth-Bedoya said. “I firmly believe that music should have no boundaries of time or citizenship, and with that in mind, the combination of the Shepherd School musicians and this particular repertoire will create great chemistry.”
Harth-Bedoya made a recent appearance at the Shepherd School during Community Day, conducting a packed family concert that featured “Peter and the Wolf” and “Lightspeed.” This upcoming concert marks a deeper step into his new role on campus.
“I feel that I’ve gotten to know my students, my peers and everybody in and around the Shepherd School of Music community,” Harth-Bedoya said. “This concert is a very special turning point for me in which I get to fully transition into the faculty.”
The performance also serves as a farewell for many graduating students giving their final concert with the Symphony Orchestra.
“For musicians whose last concert is this one and are entering the profession or are meeting life in music, my best message is to follow your passion and let your passion, which is music, guide you,” Harth-Bedoya said.
Learn more about “New Beginnings" here.