News Summary
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 40th anniversary season with a tribute concert dedicated to Native American culture on May 14, 2025. The event features renowned flutist R. Carlos Nakai and the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, highlighting themes surrounding Native American history and education. The concert will premiere a new composition, while also showcasing Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9. This significant event aims to honor the legacy of the Brafferton Indian School and the contributions of women in Native American culture.
Williamsburg – The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) will conclude its 40th anniversary season with a special tribute concert honoring Native American culture. This significant event is set to take place on May 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg Community Chapel. The concert will feature notable Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai, who is recognized globally for his musical contributions.
During the performance, Nakai will play several significant pieces, including “Inner Voices” and “Kokopelli Wind,” as well as a unique rendition of “Amazing Grace.” In addition to Nakai’s performance, the concert will also feature the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, a group founded by a professor at the College of William & Mary. This dance company will introduce the world premiere of “Secrets: Remembering the Brafferton Indian School,” a composition by Grammy-nominated composer Dawn Avery.
The structure of the concert is designed to be impactful, consisting of three segments. The second segment will highlight Avery’s new composition, directly linking to themes surrounding Native American history. Following intermission, the WSO will perform Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9, famously known as “From the New World.” Dvorak had a keen interest in incorporating Native American musical elements into his compositions during the late 19th century.
The subject of the world premiere, the Brafferton Indian School, has a significant historical context. Established on the William & Mary campus in 1723, it was distinct from the industrial boarding schools that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries. Students attending Brafferton came from Native tribes with treaty relationships with Great Britain, representing a unique aspect of early American education for Indigenous students.
Collaboration between artists is a central theme of the concert. Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, an anthropology professor at William & Mary, has partnered with Avery to pay homage to the legacy of the Brafferton Indian School. Avery’s interest in the school stems from her work focused on the healing effects of residential school histories and aims to raise awareness about Native American education.
The performance seeks to honor both the history of the Brafferton and the secrets that lie within its past, particularly reflecting on the treatment of Native Americans over time. Leah Glenn Prince, the founder of the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre, has emphasized the critical role that women have played in Native American culture, which will be represented through the dance numbers. The performance will feature five dancers portraying the diverse tribal backgrounds of the Brafferton students, with choreography that aims to show tribute and respect for Native cultures.
Ticket information for this significant event can be found on the WSO website at williamsburgsymphony.org/schedule. This concert not only marks an essential milestone for the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra but also reinforces its mission to promote music and cultural education, closing a celebratory season with an impactful reflection on Native American heritage.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra Celebrates 40 Years
- Wikipedia: Williamsburg
- WYDaily: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra Brings Peter and the Wolf
- Google Search: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
- Williamsburg Families: WSO Spring Concert
- Google Scholar: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
- Daily Press: Side by Side Concert
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
- Williamsburg Families: The Nutcracker with WSO
- Google News: Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
