Melbourne Community Orchestra Plays Mark Nelson Favorites Feb. 1-2, Will Feature Principal Flutist Noël Barefiel

By  //  January 17, 2023

at the Melbourne Auditorium

Maestro Mark Nelson calls the shots during the Melbourne Community Orchestra concerts ‘Conductor’s Choice’ on February 1 and 2 in Melbourne. Admission is free. For details, call 321-285-6724. Photo courtesy of Melbourne Community Orchestra

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The conductor is the top dog in the orchestral world!

For the Melbourne Community Orchestra, Mark Nelson holds the baton. He will program his favorite compositions during Conductor’s Choice, a pair of concerts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, February 1 and 2, at the Melbourne Auditorium at 625 Hibiscus Boulevard.

The two evenings will include selections that have tickled the fancy of Maestro Nelson over the course of his conducting career. Audiences will be sure to delight in Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, along with the thrilling Hebrides Overture by Felix Mendelssohn.

Principal flutist Noël Barefield will be featured in a performance of the Flute Concerto by Chaminade. The evenings are rounded out with Dvořák’s tribute to America: his well-loved Symphony No. 9, popularly known as the New World Symphony!

Principal flutist Noël Barefield will be featured in a performance of the Flute Concerto by Chaminade. The evenings are rounded out with Dvořák’s tribute to America: his well-loved Symphony No. 9, popularly known as the New World Symphony!

As always, a pre-show of onstage musical performers will entertain the gathering crowd, beginning at 6:15 p.m. Admission to Conductor’s Choice and all Melbourne Community Orchestra concerts are free.

The 50-member group conducted by Mark Nelson is the Orchestra in Residence for the City of Melbourne.

While Conductor’s Choice may be all of Mark Nelson’s favorites, the Melbourne Community Orchestra Conductor knows that they will also be appreciated by concertgoers.

“All of these numbers are incredibly special in their own right,” said Maestro Nelson. “Some of them are very familiar, and for any that aren’t — I’m happy to make the introduction! Take it from me: It’s going to be a great concert.”

The non-profit Melbourne Community Orchestra is an all-volunteer orchestra performing seven sets of free concerts each Season. Call 321-285-6724 or visit MCOrchestra.org for more information or to sign up for concert alerts.

Maestro Mark Nelson calls the shots during the Melbourne Community Orchestra concerts ‘Conductor’s Choice’ on February 1 and 2 in Melbourne. Admission is free. For details, call 321-285-6724.

ABOUT THE MELBOURNE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA

The non-profit Melbourne Community Orchestra is an all-volunteer orchestra performing seven sets of free concerts each Season.

Conducted by Mark Nelson, the dynamic orchestra is comprised of 50+ musicians ranging from student players to adult hobbyists and full-time professionals. Clair Cristy is the orchestra’s beloved founder and holds the title of Conductor Emeritus. The orchestra’s repertoire includes music from symphonic to pop, including movie soundtracks and show tunes, opera, ballet and patriotic arrangements.

 The Melbourne Community Orchestra is dedicated to enhancing the appreciation and understanding of orchestral music in Brevard County and strives to provide an intimate audience experience. The group is at home in the Melbourne Civic Auditorium at 625 Hibiscus Boulevard in Melbourne.

In 2008, the Melbourne Community Orchestra was named “Orchestra in Residence” for the city of Melbourne. For more information or to sign up for concert alerts, visit MCOrchestra.org or call 321-285-6724.

ABOUT CONDUCTOR MARK NELSON

Maestro Mark P. Nelson has been a conductor, clinician, and educator for over 40 years, recognized for his conducting of orchestra ensembles across the United States.

Mr. Nelson was a co-founder of the Community Band of Brevard and also pioneered the American Musical Theatre Program for the Brevard County Public Schools. He is a two-time recipient of the National Band Association Citation of Excellence.

In 2013 he was named a Legion Laureate, one of only 100 nationally, by the John Phillip Sousa Society. Mark completed his Doctoral studies through Boston University and is a sought-after guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States.

Referring to Mark’s skill as a conductor and interpreter of music, Conductor Emeritus James Keene, University of Illinois, remarked, “He is a master musician and teacher. He is dedicated and has the courage of conviction to program literature that is extremely sophisticated musically. He exhibits ‘wonderful interpretation!”

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