Dreams, Dragons, & Dances - Orchestra Concerto Concert

Name: Dreams, Dragons, & Dances - Orchestra Concerto Concert
Start: 2026-02-21T19:30:00-05:00
Location: Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center

Schedule

Sat, 21 Feb, 2026 at 07:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center | Grand Rapids, MI

We are pleased to feature two concerto competition winners this year. Anna Perkins performs the second movement of Frank Ticheli’s Clarinet Concerto (“For Aaron”)—a tender tribute filled with lyricism and heartfelt emotion, with nods to Copland’s Clarinet Concerto and Fanfare for the Common Man. We segue to one of the most famous pieces by Copland, his Variations on a Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring, a timeless American classic known for its warmth, simplicity, and hopeful spirit.
One of the highlights of the evening is the world premiere of Pearl’s Dream by Adam Byle (b. 2005), who shares his heart openly with a personal story expressed through his composition.
Our second concerto competition winner Nathan Boersema, presents the first movement of Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto - a virtuosic Romantic work filled with sweeping melodies and fiery intensity.
The concert concludes with music from John Powell’s How to Train Your Dragon, bringing cinematic adventure, soaring themes, and spirited rhythms to the stage.
This program celebrates tradition, innovation, and the extraordinary talents of our Calvin student musicians.
We hope you’ll join us for an inspiring night of great music!

Program:
Edward Grieg, Peer Gynt Suite
1 Morning Mood
2 Åse’s Death
3. Anitra’s Dance
4. In the Hall of the Mountain King

Frank Ticheli, (b. 1958) Clarinet Concerto Mvt.2 For Aaron;
Anna Perkins, clarinet
Aaron Copland, Variations on a Shaker Melody from Appalachian Spring
Adam Byle, Pearl’s Dream (world premier)
Édouard Lalo (1823-1892) Cello Concerto Mvt. 1
Nathan Boersema, cello
John Powell (b. 1963), How To Train Your Dragon arr. O’Loughlin