WILSON, N.C. — January 18, 2022 — “Love the Symphony” at Barton College returns on Monday, Feb. 14, with the Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra welcoming the award-winning Balsam Range for the symphony’s 30th annual Valentine’s Day concert gala. Under the direction of symphony director Mark Peterson, “Blue Grass and Symphony: A Collaboration with Balsam Range” promises to be a stellar experience for those in attendance. “Love the Symphony” is sponsored by Truist.
When asked how he came up with the idea of merging bluegrass with classical music, Peterson explained, “It’s an innovative idea. A member of the symphony’s board of directors brought up the idea of merging bluegrass with classical music several times over the past few years, and suggested I investigate a specific, highly sought-after bluegrass ensemble that frequently collaborates with symphony orchestras. When I did my research, I was dismayed to find out that this idea would be way too expensive. However, the answer proved to be right around the corner when my faculty colleague Michael Brantley heard my distress and suggested some friends of his that were excellent and had recently performed with the Atlanta Pops. That’s how I found out about the sensational group Balsam Range. I’m thrilled about this collaboration and, no doubt, the Love the Symphony audience will be thrilled as well.”
The Barton College/Wilson Symphony Orchestra will perform four hit songs with Balsam Range, including “Blue Mountain,” “Trains I Missed,” “Burning Georgia Down,” and “Last Train to Kitty Hawk.” Balsam Range will play several other songs as well. The orchestra will perform Aaron Copland’s “Hoe-Down” from his ballet “Rodeo,” and Richard Hayman’s “Pops Hoe-Down” from his “Round-Up” suite.
The event will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium on the Barton campus. A buffet dinner will immediately follow the program at 8 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. Please email Bonnie LoSchiavo at blloschiavo@barton.edu regarding reservations. Please note that reservations are required, and space is limited. The reservation deadline is Monday, Feb. 7, as long as seats are available. No tickets will be mailed.
About Balsam Range —
The 2014 and 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year,” Balsam Range has become one of the genre’s most award-winning acts. Since forming in 2007, the group has garnered 14 IBMA awards on the heels of 10 critically acclaimed albums. Balsam Range has left audiences spellbound while headlining major festivals from coast-to-coast, selling out venues across the nation and in multiple appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.
The band’s last four albums have debuted in the top five on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts while their latest offering, “Moxie And Mettle,” provided four number one radio hits prior to the album’s release in September 2021. One of those songs, “Richest Man” was awarded “Song Of The Year” at the 2021 IBMA awards.
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