Dr. Sabrina Adrian will present the Organ Symphony, accompanied by Symphony of the Hills, on July 17 in the sanctuary of Kerrville’s First Presbyterian Church.
July 11, 2022–Pipe Dreams, the special summer concert to be presented by Symphony of the Hills at 3 p.m. on July 17 in the sanctuary of Kerrville’s First Presbyterian Church, has all the participants anticipating this one-of-a-kind musical event.
“We’re going to raise the roof,” said Dr. Eugene Dowdy, Conductor and Artistic Director. “The sanctuary is very resonant, and it holds this magnificent Jehmlich pipe organ. Only a few brave composers wrote for the organ as a concert instrument, and Saint-Saens was one of them. This gorgeous symphony features the organ as a primary voice. Presenting this summer concert is going to be a real gift to the community.”
Sitting at that organ will be Dr. Sabrina Adrian, organist at First Presbyterian Church since 2019.
“I feel very privileged to serve as organist for the First Presbyterian Church, and especially to be able to present this piece to the community,” Adrian said. “The organ is not just the pipes; it is also the room it is in, as the audience will hear. I am so thankful to Dr. Gene Dowdy and the Symphony of the Hills for expanding the potential of this instrument.”
Adrian will be joined by a select group of players from the Symphony. They will also perform Suite in G Major for Strings and Organ by Italian composer Ottorino Respighi.
“This is another beautiful piece for organ and strings, and a great chance to hear how the organ was used by gifted composers,” Dowdy said. “Combining it in that space with the full symphony sound will make this concert a spectacle. Of course, Dr. Adrian is the consummate professional.”
The concert holds special meaning for two Symphony players. Violinists Bruce and Connie Story joined the Symphony of the Hills two years ago, after performing more than three decades with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Philharmonic, and Montpelier Chamber Orchestras. Playing this piece has been on their “bucket list.”
“We performed most of the standard symphony works, but never the famed Organ Symphony,” Bruce Story said. “Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony has been high on our bucket list. We are so happy the Symphony board and Dr. Gene Dowdy are bringing the joy of this music to the community and that we can be a part of it, especially with the fabulous organ and the fabulous Dr. Sabrina Adrian.”
This special concert is a “gift to the community.”
Priority seating will be reserved for Patrons and Subscribers. All others will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis as long as seats are available. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a free-will offering supporting the Symphony’s Children’s Adventures in Music outreach program for local elementary students.
Anyone interested in becoming a season ticket holder prior to the concert can contact info@symphonyofthehills.org, 830-792-7469, or www.symphonyofthehills.org.
For information on the Symphony of the Hills season, visit www.symphonyofthehills.org.
