To commemorate 60 years, we have continued our proud Great Falls Symphony Association tradition of commissioning a celebratory symphonic work. This new piece by Michael Djupstrom will be premiered by the orchestra at this, our season finale concert.

The work of this gifted composer and pianist has been recognized through honors and awards from institutions such as the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Chinese Fine Arts Society, and the Académie musicale de Villecroze, among many others. Djupstrom was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1980. He studied composition at the University of Michigan and the Curtis Institute of Music. Other training included fellowships at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Aspen Music Festival, as well as studies in Paris with Betsy Jolas. He currently lives in Philadelphia, where he teaches at the Curtis Institute of Music.

The Great Falls Symphonic Choir joins the orchestra to present A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms. He began the work upon the death of his friend Robert Schumann in 1856 and was determined to complete it after his mother’s passing in 1865.

”A choral masterpiece of its time, this is not your typical requiem with Latin text of fire and brimstone. Instead, Brahms chose more personal New and Old Testament passages that would not only mourn the dead, but also comfort the living. “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. They who sow in tears, shall reap in joy ... They shall take in joy and gladness, and sorrowing and sighing must depart.”

For Brahms,this optimistic and positive Requiem was a triumphant success and a turning point in his career. We proudly present this uplifting choral tour de force with guest soloists Diana McVey and Brandon Hendrickson.

According to Opera Musica, McVey is an artist whose consummate skills as both a singer and an actress have made her highly visible in opera, oratorio, and as a soloist with symphony orchestras. Hendrickson is an active performer on the opera, concert and recital stage. His voice has been praised as “mellifluous” and as a “beautiful baritone” by Opera News.