Photo By Pete Schulte

Join North Valley Symphony Orchestra (NVSO) on Saturday, May 21 at 7 p.m. at North Canyon High School Auditorium (1700 E. Union Hills Drive) as they take a road trip across America performing music inspired by American geography and cultures.

“The concert opens with hard hitting rhythms written by Michael Daugherty depicting the iconic cross country ‘Route 66,’” shares Kevin Kozacek, NVSO music director. “We then crisscross our nation with a trip down the mighty Mississippi in the suite of four movements by Ferde Grofe’. During this trip we will visit the headwaters, take a short raft trip with Huckleberry Finn, and end in the deep Creole south and celebrate Mardi Gras. The concert also features a look at America through the eyes of Dvořák, with his interpretation of our land through his ‘Symphony from the New World,’ written after his visit to America in the 1890s.”

“Finally, we are so pleased to present the world premiere of NVSO’s first commission, celebrating our tenth anniversary season,” he continues. “‘River Run’ was written by ASU professor emeritus James DeMars, aurally depicting the river of his childhood that splashes and plays from lake to pond in Minnesota. I hope audience members will appreciate the repertoire choices depicting the vast diversity of America.”

The “Across America” concert is sponsored by Floyde “Bill” Kozacek, (Kevin’s father), in memory of Bill’s wife of 73 years, Josephine “Jo’” Kozacek. The concert is also in memory of Josephine’s long-time friend Millie DeYoung Barnes, who often played piano duets with Jo’ throughout their musically rich friendship. The season is sponsored by Bryan and Andrea Crouch of The Crouch Group.

NVSO is committed to making concert tickets affordable for all. Tickets are $5. Purchase tickets at the NVSO website, northvalleysymphony.org, or by calling 623-980-4628.

NVSO is partially funded by the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture through appropriations from the Phoenix City Council. NVSO has also received an AZ Organizational Relief Grant (ORG). Administered by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the AZ ORG Program directs relief funds allocated by Governor Doug Ducey from the State of Arizona’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds in support of arts and culture organizations across the state.