In celebration of Black History Month, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra presents “Copland, Mozart and Dvorak” on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 8 pm at Seabrook Auditorium on the campus of Fayetteville State University.
   “This is one of our yearly performances at Fayetteville State University,” said Fouad Fakhouri, director and conductor of Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. “For the past three seasons we have performed at Seabrook Auditorium as part of Black History Month.”
   {mosimage}Fakhouri added that FSO is repeating this particular performance three times in three different venues. The other two concerts will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Carolina Civic Center in Lumberton and on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. at Owens Auditorium on the campus of Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst.   
   The concert performance features the sounds of America, Austria and Bohemia. The selections include Wolfgang Mozart’s famous First Flute Concerto No. 1 in honor of Lincoln’s Bicentennial, Aaron Copland’s masterpiece Lincoln Portrait with narration by Ken Smith and Antonin Dvorak’s famous Symphony No. 8. The piece by Mozart features FSO’s principal flute player, Jessica Dixon. 
   “This concert is one that has much variety,” said Fakhouri.   
   Copland was commissioned to write a musical portrait of a great American statesman. He decided on Lincoln and picked out sections of Lincoln’s letters and speeches and interspersed them with short biographical details. The overall tone of the piece is serious and dignified. 
   Mozart hated the flute and despite his disdain for the instrument, the Concerto in G, along with its companion pieces, is an ambitious piece of work that is standing in the repertory.     
   Dvorak composed his piece in 1889. It reflects his love for his native culture and is the most national of his nine symphonies. The piece shifts from major to minor modes and features the flute that dominates the movement.
   “My hope is to have the audience come and experience a remarkable and memorable concert that will move them and inspire them to come back to all of our concerts,” said Fakhouri. 
FSO season tickets are only accepted for the Fayetteville performance. Individual ticket prices are $25 for adult, $20 for seniors 65 and older, $20 for military and $8 for students. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 433-4690 or at Seabrook Auditorium the evening of the performance.    

Contact Shanessa Fenner at editor@upandcomingweekly.com