Miami University Symphony Orchestra performs with Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra

The Miami University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Ricardo Averbach, will give a joint performance with the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Paul Stanberry, at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in Hall Auditorium. The free concert is in honor of the ninth annual Daniel Pearl World Music Days, a monthlong international network of concerts using the power of music to reaffirm a commitment to tolerance and humanity.

This is the first time that the Miami University Symphony Orchestra combines with a professional orchestra for a concert: 150 musicians will be onstage to perform a program featuring the world premiere of “Lento” by Lazar Nikolov (1922-2005), who was one of the most prominent composers of Bulgaria. Nikolov dedicated “Lento” to the victims of the Revolution of 1989 in Romania. The concert will also feature Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, considered one of the greatest masterpieces of classical music.

The combined orchestras will also perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the New Life Vineyard, 2470 Princeton Road, Hamilton. This concert will also include “American Salute” by Morton Gould and Weber’s Bassoon Concerto.

The Miami University Symphony Orchestra was recently named one of eight orchestra finalists for The American Prize, 2010. Averbach received The American Prize 2010 for conducting, College/University level.

Daniel Pearl was a journalist and accomplished musician. While on assignment for the Wall Street Journal, he was kidnapped and killed by terrorists in Pakistan in 2002, just four months after 9/11.

For more information about Daniel Pearl World Music Days, go to www.danielpearlmusicdays.org.

For more information about the symphony orchestra concerts, contact Averbach at averbach@muohio.edu.