The Branson-based organization kicks off two weeks of free concerts on June 17.
Founded in 2012 by Branson native Dr. Larkin Sanders, the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra (TFO) will open the curtain on its summer season in June. This year’s collection of concerts includes two symphony orchestra performances, a children’s concert in partnership with the Library Center of the Ozarks (former Taneyhills Library), and three chamber music concerts. Music director and conductor Joseph Peters also returns to lead the orchestra this season.
This year’s first orchestral concert, “Spellbound,” features works by Anna Cline and Antonin Dvořák, as well as Hector Berlioz’s delirium-inducing “Symphonie Fantastique.” TFO’s other full-ensemble performance features “The Tales of Sorrow” by New York-based composer Polina Nazaykinskaya and selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet masterpiece “Romeo and Juliet.” These orchestra concerts take place at Hollister High School.
TFO showcases its musicians with three annual chamber music concerts, “All-Star Soloists,” “Music by Living Composers,” and “Our Favorite Pieces.” The selections for these concerts range from pieces for one musician, sometimes written by the musician themselves, up to works for 10 or 12 players. All of these concerts will take place at Branson’s Fellowship at Cross Creek Church. Additionally, this season brings another installment of TFO’s children’s concert at First Presbyterian Church, in collaboration with the Library of the Ozarks and featuring elementary music educator Daniel Rhode.
Each year, TFO attracts more than 100 musicians from across the country to Branson for two weeks of rehearsals and performances. These musicians range from college students at some of the country’s best music programs to established musicians who hold professorships and orchestral jobs. One of the attractions of TFO for musicians is the opportunity to build connections with peers at different stages of their careers. Additionally, TFO is proud to be the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Brungard Family Foundation, which will be used to house our exemplary musicians.
Admission is free at all Taneycomo Festival Orchestra events. The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is supported by donations of money, food, time and hospitality. To learn more about supporting TFO, visit taneycomofestivalorchestra.org/donateandvolunteer
Schedule and locations of events
· Monday, June 17: 9:30 a.m., Children’s Concert with the Library Center of the Ozarks; featuring Daniel Rhode, First Presbyterian Church, 420 W. Main Street, Branson
· Wednesday, June 19: 7:30 p.m. All-Star Soloists. Repertoire to be announced. Fellowship at Cross Creek Church 505 Cedar Park Road, Branson
· Friday June 21: 7:30 p.m. Taneycomo Festival Orchestra: Spellbound. Anna Cline: This Midnight Hour; Antonin Dvořák: The Noon Witch; Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique. Hollister High School, 2112 State Hwy. BB, Hollister
· Wednesday, June 26: 7:30 p.m. Music by living composers, repertoire to be announced. Fellowship at Cross Creek Church, 505 Cedar Park Road, Branson
· Thursday, June 27: 7:30 p.m. Our favorite pieces, repertoire to be announced. Fellowship at Cross Creek Church, 505 Cedar Park Road, Branson
· Friday, June 28: 7:30 p.m. Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, Romeo & Juliet featuring Vasily Kalinnikov: Tsar Boris Overture; Polina Nazaykinskaya: The Tales of Sorrow; Sergei Prokofiev: Selections from Romeo and Juliet. Hollister High School, 2112 State Hwy. BB, Hollister.
About Dr. Larkin Sanders
Dr. Larkin Sanders is a native of Branson, Missouri, and currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she is the clarinet instructor at Washburn University, owns the Clever Clarinetist (a clarinet specialty store), is the Executive-Artistic Director of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, and is an active performer. As a chamber music and entrepreneurship specialist, she manages and performs with Porch Music KC, the Bluestem Faculty Quintet at Washburn University, and more. In addition to a variety of chamber ensembles, she also performs with the Springfield Symphony, Topeka Symphony and other regional orchestras. Dr. Sanders serves on several nonprofit boards such as the American Single Reed Summit (Vice President) and Charlotte House Series. Dr. Sanders is endorsed as an Artist by Henri Selmer Paris, D’Addario & Co., Silverstein Works, and Brian Corbin Clarinet Products.
About the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra
The Taneycomo Festival Orchestra provides free classical music concerts and educational programs that serve the central Ozarks. We believe that anyone can enjoy classical music performances when programs are presented in casual, educational and accessible atmospheres. TFO brings up to 100 musicians from around the globe together to make music and expand their networks. TFO provides musicians with free housing, meals and professional development seminars, in addition to musical growth. The value of in-kind donations such as housing, food and venue use is approximately $250,000 per year, and 90 percent of our total budget comes from individual donations.