Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra Presents “Aurora”: Music That Lights the American Sky
Monday, November 17th | 7:00 p.m. | Moody Concert Hall
The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra invites West Alabama to come together for Aurora, an evening of radiant music that celebrates the heart and spirit of the American sound. Led by Maestro Adam Flatt, the concert brings warmth, color, and a touch of wonder to the Moody Concert Hall stage.
The program opens with Strum by Jessie Montgomery, one of today’s most exciting composers. Bursting with rhythm and life, the piece blends classical tradition with the energy of jazz and folk music, creating a sound that feels both new and deeply familiar. It sets the tone for an evening that celebrates movement, memory, and community.
The TSO then features two of its own, violinist Jenny Grégoire and violist Jacob Adams, joined by harpsichordist Michael Delfín, in Verso by Kenji Bunch. The work looks back to the elegance of the Baroque era while pointing toward the future with fresh harmonies and driving energy. Hearing these local artists—professors at The University of Alabama who perform across the world—side by side on the Moody stage is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary talent within our own community.
After intermission, the orchestra turns to Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a timeless portrait of hope, love, and new beginnings on the American frontier. Its sweeping harmonies and familiar Shaker melody, “Simple Gifts,” have become symbols of optimism and grace.
Bass-baritone Paul Houghtaling then brings drama and depth to Charles Ives’s General William Booth Enters into Heaven, a vivid and deeply human story about redemption and joy. The concert closes with Copland’s Three Latin-American Sketches, a colorful celebration of rhythm and dance inspired by his travels through Mexico and Venezuela.
Together, these works shine with the voices of America—diverse, bold, tender, and endlessly creative.
Aurora is a celebration of who we are as Americans and as a community that values artistry, education, and connection. It’s a night to pause, listen, and be reminded that great music isn’t just something that happens elsewhere—it happens right here in Tuscaloosa.
