Vermont Philharmonic’s spring concerts to feature top trumpet player

April 17, 2024  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Trumpet player Billy Hunter. Photo courtesy Vermont Philharmonic

The Vermont Philharmonic presents one of the country’s top classical trumpet players in a pair of concerts titled “Trumpeting Spring” on Saturday-Sunday, April 27-28, in Randolph and Barre. 

The concerts are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on April 27 at the Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph and 2 p.m. on April 28 at the Barre Opera House.

The program’s featured work is the Trumpet Concerto by Richard Stöhr, performed by Billy R. Hunter Jr., distinguished Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.  Stöhr began his musical career in Vienna where he was a successful composer and professor at the Vienna Academy of Music in the 1920s and 30s. He continued on at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia and eventually landed at St. Michael’s College in Colchester.  The Vermont Philharmonic has previously featured the little-known Stöhr in order to give his works the light that they deserve.

One of Vermont’s most popular sopranos, Mary Bonhag also joins the Vermont Philharmonic to perform “Reflections on the Way,” four songs by Vermont composer Erik Nielsen set to poems by David Budbill. 

Composer Erik Nielsen. Photo courtesy Vermont Philharmonic

Soprano Mary Bonhag. Photo courtesy Vermont Philharmonic

Conducted by Music Director Lou Kosma, the program opens with Felix Mendelssohn’s evocative and dramatic overture to “Die schöne Melusine” (“The FairMelusine”).    

Now in its 65th season, the Vermont Philharmonic is Vermont’s oldest community orchestra, making music since 1959. 

Tickets: $25, adults; $20, seniors; $5, students. Available at the door or in advance online at vermontphilharmonic.com.