Orlando Philharmonic Presents The Great Arrangers

On Monday, October 3, the Orlando Philharmonic presents orchestral arrangements of folk songs, dances, ballet music and more in The Great Arrangers, the first concert of the 2011-2012 Focus Series. Featuring the rich, robust vocals of baritone James Brown III, who lends his voice to Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” the program also includes works by Stravinsky, Bartok, Holst, Respighi, Still and Vaughan Williams, all under the direction of Orlando Philharmonic Music Director Christopher Wilkins. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. in the Margeson Theater at Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E Rollins St, Orlando.

A Central Florida resident, Brown is recognized as a strong performer in a variety of styles, including opera, musical theater and spirituals. His nuanced vocal style is well-suited to Copland’s arrangement of American melodies, including “Simple Gifts,” “At the River,” “Zion’s Walls” and “Ching-a-Ring Chaw.” Brown appeared with the Philharmonic in last year’s presentation of “My Favorite Things: The Music of Richard Rodgers,” and played “Jake” in the collaborative performance of Porgy and Bessby the Orlando Philharmonic and Mad Cow Theatre in 2010. He teaches locally at his alma mater, Jones High School, and is an Adjunct Professor at Valencia Community College.

Tickets for The Great Arrangers are $15, $28 and $39, and subscriptions are also on sale, ranging from $60 to $140 for the Focus Series and $72.50 to $620 for the Super Series. Student discounts are available. To order, or to learn more about the Philharmonic’s 2011-2012 Super Series, Focus Series or concert opera, Rigoletto, call the Philharmonic box office at 407-770-0071, or visit www.orlandophil.org.