SAINT JOHN, N.B., [May 13 2024] – In addition to its season-closing concerts in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton, Symphony New Brunswick is delighted to bring the orchestra to Woodstock, Dalhousie and Caraquet this month with a modified version of its Echoes of Beethoven program. The concert opens with Heather Schmidt's acclaimed River Run. This majestic two-movement piece was commissioned for small ensemble in 2023 by Dr. Mary Pedersen in memory of her sister, Cheryl Ann (Pedersen) Sutton, and has been newly arranged for full orchestra by the composer. The concert closes with the orchestra tackling Beethoven's famous Symphony no.3 ["Eroica"].

"The music of Beethoven holds a special place in my heart”, shares Music Director Mélanie Léonard. “This piece brought the symphonic form to a level never previously imagined, and its importance and grandeur reverberates down to our day. It's a terrific way to end this celebratory season. There's no question that our audiences are in for a wonderful treat."

“This is a fitting finale for our 40th", declares Symphony NB President Reid Parker. "We have had a wonderful year of music-making, and finishing off with Beethoven's beloved "Eroica" Symphony allows us to demonstrate just how far we've come under Mélanie's artful direction. It certainly sets the stage for great things to come in Season 41".

Peter Sametz, Symphony NB's Director of Operations, remarks "As an arts organization with a provincial mandate, it's important that we make the orchestra accessible to as many as possible. It's not always convenient or feasible for concertgoers to make the trip to the larger centres. We're thrilled to give music lovers the opportunity to hear their provincial orchestra in their neck of the woods".

The concert in Dalhousie is presented by Jeunesses Musicales Dalhousie, while the concert in Caraquet is presented by JM Canada Péninsule acadienne.

Schedule

Fri May 17: 7:30 pm @ McCain Community Theatre [Woodstock]
Sat May 18: 7:30 pm @ L.E.R. Theatre [Dalhousie]
Sun May 19: 2:00 pm @ Centre culturel de Caraquet [Caraquet]

**About River Run**

In 2023 Symphony NB collaborated with Dr. Mary Pederson of Fredericton to commission the two-movement work ***River Run***, a remembrance of her beloved sister Cheryl Ann (Pederson) Sutton (1956-2018) written by one of Canada’s foremost composers, Heather Schmidt.

Inspired by happy childhood days growing up in New Denmark along the St. John River, ***River Run*** commemorates the life of Cheryl Sutton. Cheryl was colorfully referred to as “a bright shining light in the lives of many ... known for her sun-hat wearing, animal-loving, vegetable-scrubbing, nature-seeking, fair-weather skiing, fastest potato-peeling, out-of-rhythm dancing, spritzer-drinking, fun-loving joie-de-vivre”, a characterization that reflected the deep love felt for her by so many.

Symphony NB concertgoers were introduced to the work of Heather Schmidt in April 2023 when the full orchestra performed her Symphony no. 1 (“Manufactured Landscapes"). She was on hand in the province for both that performance and the premiere of River Run as part of an artist residency that saw her work with composers in the province and participate in several workshops for community music ensembles.