ASU Orchestras 2024–25 season presents trailblazing compositions, new interpretations

The Arizona State University Orchestras 2024–25 season explores evolution in orchestral music, featuring groundbreaking compositions and innovative interpretations.

The ASU Orchestras include the Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia, Music Theatre and Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Studio Orchestra.

Alejandro Gómez Guillén, ASU’s new director of orchestras and assistant professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre, joins conductors Julie Desbordes and Brian DeMaris, along with graduate student conductors Kara Piatt, Julian Lamarti, Michael Shannon and Helen Kohler, to present a season of musical innovation and creativity.

“I am thrilled to lead ASU’s orchestral program, respecting traditions in symphonic music while also exploring growth and innovation,” Guillén said. “Our musicians and fellow faculty are a joy, and I know our audiences will continue to share in the pride of having access to first-rate musical experiences right here in our community.”

DeMaris, professor and artistic director of ASU Music Theatre and Opera, said the program is truly lucky to work with the ASU Symphony and Wind ensembles in performing its season.

“These collaborative efforts that bring together students from across campus and multiple majors are a hallmark of the performance experiences offered at ASU for students and a highlight for audiences for over 60 years," he said.

The ASU Symphony Orchestra opens the season on Oct. 1. The concert features Samuel Barber’s “Overture to The School for Scandal,” which captures the essence of mischievous characters; Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout,” which blends evocative soundscapes with the vibrant spirit of Andean folklore; Leanna Primiani’s “1001,” an exploration of the legendary Scheherazade heroine’s psyche through music and electronics; and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphonic tale “Scheherazade,” which transports you to the magical world of the Arabian Nights.

“ASU Philharmonia is looking forward to co-creating transformative musical experiences and invites you along for the journey,” said Desbordes, music director of the Philharmonia. “We are thrilled to present a diverse and eclectic programming alongside inspiring students and colleagues.”

Desbordes said the Philharmonia is an orchestra for all majors that is enriched by the multitude of skill sets and backgrounds that the students bring to the stage.

On Oct. 3, the Philharmonia, in collaboration with the Maroon and Gold Band, presents a diverse evening of music featuring Piazzolla’s “Adiós Nonino” and Franz Schubert’s “Symphony No. 5.” Graduate student conductors Grant Knox and Joel Thiesfeldt will lead the Maroon and Gold Band in Jaime Texidor’s “Amparito Roca,” Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” and Frank Ticheli’s “Abracadabra.”

The Nov. 1 Symphony concert opens with Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate’s “Chokfi” ("Rabbit"), honoring Muscogee Creek heritage through a trickster character legendary in Southeast Native American cultures. Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony” pays homage to his childhood with themes that showcase the versatility of string players. Assistant Professor of Music Composition Gabriel Bolaños’ work “Stoss” explores unusual structures and timbres. Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 1, the Spring Symphony” concludes the concert.

On Nov. 25, the Symphony performs Reena Esmail’s “Testament (or Vishwas),” which looks at India’s 15th-century poet-saint Meera Bai as a “quintessential embodiment of ‘vishwas,’” the concept of fervent belief or faith in Hindi. In a collaboration with ASU dance students led by Carley Conder, clinical assistant professor of dance, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Symphony No. 39 in D, K. 504, ‘Prague’” embodies the concept of symphony meets movement. Andy Akiho’s “Petroglyphs” showcases solo brass instruments played in a lyrical fashion. The concert closes with Jean Sibelius’ epic “Symphony No. 5,” an evocative “swan” theme.

The final fall concert on Nov. 26 is another collaboration with the Philharmonia and the Maroon and Gold Band showcasing students’ talent and passion for music with an array of styles.

The Feb. 7 and 8 Symphony concerts include William Schuman’s “American Festival Overture,” written in the mid-20th century; Edward Elgar’s “Cello Concerto,” which features second-year Doctor of Musical Arts student Daniel Kim, a 2024 ASU concerto competition winner; and the Arizona premiere of William Dawson’s groundbreaking work written in 1934, “Negro Folk Symphony,” which blends classical and African American folk music elements. The ASU Symphony will perform this concert at the Jim & Linda Lee Performing Arts Center at Yavapai College and ASU Gammage.

The Philharmonia and the ASU Gospel Choir unite on Feb. 20 for an evening of diverse and exciting repertoire for voices and full symphonic orchestra. 

On March 3, the Symphony presents the music of Grażyna Bacewicz’s “Overture,” characterized by motion and pointed rhythm; Antonin Dvorak’s “Violin Concerto,” which features 2024 concerto competition winner Ramses Cid Dominguez, a first-year Doctor of Musical Arts violin student; and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5,” an exploration of universal themes of home, longing, love and fate.

Curated specifically for the whole family, the Symphony’s March 29 concert, “Epic Scores: The Musical World of John Williams,” presents the magic of cinematic music, with heroic adventures, heartwarming moments and unforgettable stories.

On April 24, the Philharmonia welcomes the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras in a side-by-side concert to create an evening of exciting orchestral music.

The orchestral season closes on April 29 with Chen Yi’s “Momentum,” self-described as "the power of ancient totems, the tension of the breathing lava before it breaks up to flow, and the gesture of the exaggerated dancing lines in Chinese Calligraphy." The evening concludes with Gustav Mahler’s monumental “Symphony No. 1, ‘Titan,’” which delves into interconnected realms of nature, emotions and the human spirit.

Tickets to ASU Gammage concerts are available at the ASU Gammage box office or via Ticketmaster. Tickets to the March 3 concert will be available at the Orpheum Theatre box office. Tickets to the March 29 concert will be available at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts box office.

Tuesday, Oct. 1
"Stories We Tell"
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Thursday, Oct. 3
"Inspiration"
ASU Philharmonia and Maroon and Gold Band
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Friday, Nov. 1
"'Classically' Trained"
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Monday, Nov. 25
“Open to Interpretation”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Tuesday, Nov. 26
“Sonic Dances”
ASU Philharmonia
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 
“American Reflections”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Saturday, Feb. 8.
“American Reflections”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ

Thursday, Feb. 20
“Connections”
ASU Philharmonia and ASU Gospel Choir
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Monday, March 3
“Home and Fate”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Orpheum Theatre, Phoenix

Saturday, March 29
“Epic Scores: The Musical World of John Williams”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., Scottsdale Center for the Arts

Thursday, April 24 
“Celebration”
ASU Philharmonia
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage

Tuesday, April 29
“Of Titans”
ASU Symphony Orchestra
7:30 p.m., ASU Gammage