(WCLU FILE PHOTO)
GLASGOW – On Wednesday afternoon, at the Glasgow square, the Louisville Orchestra arrived and presented an extraordinary performance to a packed crowd.
The orchestra, led by Music Director, Teddy Abrams, brought to life a wonderful array of joyful, patriotic music during their stop in Glasgow for their 24th annual, “concert on the square.” From composers like Leonard Bernstein and Gioachino Rossini to Kentucky natives, Tyler Taylor and TJ Cole, the performance certainly delivered while bringing members of the Glasgow community to their feet.
Abrams expressed excitement when discussing the future of the Louisville Orchestra and the impact it has on each Kentucky community. “This is the first time the orchestra has gone for weeks and weeks on end to every part of Kentucky,” said Abrams. “Glasgow is special because we come here every year and it’s become a tradition. However, many of the other parts of Kentucky have never had an orchestra visit their town, so we’re really excited about this opportunity.”
The “Concert on the Square” has been held annually around the July 4 holiday since 1999 and has become a Glasgow tradition for the entire community. Their “In Harmony” tour continues with stops in Somerset (July 13), Bardstown (July 16), before heading back to Louisville for shows in mid-to-late September.
“We feel that the orchestra belongs to everybody in the commonwealth. It’s not something that just belongs to one community,” said Abrams. “Even though Louisville is our home, the whole state is our community.”
The Louisville Orchestra’s historic “In Harmony” tour is a two-year musical journey that began in May 2023 and will bring orchestra musicians to dozens of communities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The LO will be performing works that appeal to audiences of all ages and tastes in music and reflect the rich musical heritage of our state, featuring homegrown performers and compositions in every venue. Intended to bring economic and artistic prosperity to all parts of the state, ‘ Harmony” is not just an exciting performance tour. This groundbreaking initiative will allow the LO musicians and staff to meet people where they are and explore the arts through musical and educational collaborations with local musicians, artists, schools, and community organizations. “In Harmony” will live up to its name, uniting the people of Kentucky through all walks of life through the universal language of music.
The Louisville Orchestra (LO), founded in 1937 after a flood, thrives on civic leadership, education, community, and artistry. Their “In Harmony” initiative uses music to foster connections across boundaries through collaborations with local artists, schools, and organizations. Led by Teddy Abrams, the LO believes in music as a unifying force. The Creators Corps offers residencies and collaborations for composers, integrating their works into the “In Harmony” performances. The LO’s commitment to education and community outreach is evident through programs like “Music Without Borders” and the “Once Upon an Orchestra” tour, enriching lives statewide.
