Saturday March 21, 2026 at 7:30pm
Baldwin Auditorium, Duke University’s East Campus
Free admission (donations gratefully accepted)
Dr. Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant, Victor and Ruth Dzau Artistic Director and Conductor of the Durham Medical Orchestra
Dr. Allan Friedman, Director of the Duke Chorale and SONAM (Singers of New and Ancient Music)
Prepare for an unforgettable evening of monumental sound as we join forces with the Duke Chorale and SONAM for a spectacular concert celebrating nature, renewal, and the vibrant energy of springtime. This large-scale collaboration brings together musicians from across the Triangle to perform some of the most iconic and emotionally charged music in the choral-orchestral repertoire.
At the heart of the program is Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a work whose explosive rhythms, driving percussion, and soaring choral writing have captivated audiences for generations. From the thunderous opening chorus “O Fortuna” to its delicate, intimate middle movements, Orff’s masterpiece paints a vivid portrait of fate, fortune, love, and the turning of the seasons-a musical ritual that pulses with life and raw human expression.
The concert also features selections from Gustav Holst’s The Planets, a dazzling orchestral suite that blends astrological symbolism with brilliant orchestration. These movements explore the grandeur, mystery, and elemental forces of the cosmos, offering a compelling counterbalance to Orff’s earth-bound vitality.
Adding to the evening’s significance is the world premiere of Dialogues from the Garden by composer Reyna Alston. This new work-rooted in themes of growth, contemplation, and the natural world-introduces a fresh artistic voice and expands the program’s celebration of springtime into new, imaginative terrain.
Set within the resonant grandeur of Baldwin Auditorium, this concert promises sweeping drama, luminous choral textures, and an exhilarating convergence of musical communities. It is a rare opportunity to experience beloved masterworks and a major new premiere in a single, powerful evening.
Free and open to the public. All are welcome.