‘America, the Beautiful’ Concert to Feature Jessica Mathaes

The Austin Civic Orchestra will celebrate the cultural diversity of the United States in its concert “America, the Beautiful” on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 4 p.m. at the AISD Performing Arts Center.

Guest soloist Jessica Mathaes — hailed by the New York Times as a “violinist like no other” — will perform music by Samuel Barber. Mathaes, a self-proclaimed fan and supporter of the Austin Civic Orchestra, will be on hand after the performance to meet attendees!

“America’s cultural richness is illustrated by the eclectic selection of music on this program,” says Austin Civic Orchestra Music Director Lois Ferrari. Led by Ferrari and Assistant Conductor Gus Sterneman, the orchestra will perform:

• Porgy and Bess, Selection for Orchestra by George Gershwin
• Variations on “America” by Charles Ives
• Overture to “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein
• Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Allegro moderato (Movement I) by Samuel Barber, featuring Jessica Mathaes on violin
• Afro-American Symphony by William Grant Still