A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the final summer performance of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe. The concert was the summer kickoff of the Stowe Performing Arts Music in the Meadow summer concert series. Music in the Meadow showcases acclaimed musical acts in a pastoral setting on the slopes of Stowe's green mountains.
Each year concert goers gather in the concert meadow with picnic baskets, low back chair, and blankets where they settle into their own sites, many of which have been continuously occupied by the same families for several years, and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. Cars arrive several hours early as parking can sometimes limited and the spaces closer to the stage fill up fast. Blankets are spread out and picnic of lavish spreads including wine, finger sandwiches, cheese plates, and fresh fruits and vegetables are laid out atop portable picnic tables from Crate and Barrel. High school students meander through the throng of people selling raffle tickets and water bottles to the waiting patrons. By the time the sun sets and the concert begins the crowd is tightly packed and eager with anticipation for the evening's music.
This year the VSO was conducted by a Briton Andrew Massey who has been with the orchestra since 2007. Massey MC'd the evening in between songs to keep the audience involved and to create a light whimsical atmosphere which reflected the musical selections. The program included a mixture of classical, popular, and Broadway musical numbers and as always the evening ended with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture seamlessly followed by a Sousa march. This was also the first year that I can remember where the fireworks representing the canons in the piece actually went off without a hitch. As the orchestra played it's final notes fireworks filled the sky from the valley below the stage. The display rivaled 4th of July presentation from the week before and left concert goers satisfied and eager for the coming musical attractions.
Each year concert goers gather in the concert meadow with picnic baskets, low back chair, and blankets where they settle into their own sites, many of which have been continuously occupied by the same families for several years, and enjoy an evening of musical entertainment. Cars arrive several hours early as parking can sometimes limited and the spaces closer to the stage fill up fast. Blankets are spread out and picnic of lavish spreads including wine, finger sandwiches, cheese plates, and fresh fruits and vegetables are laid out atop portable picnic tables from Crate and Barrel. High school students meander through the throng of people selling raffle tickets and water bottles to the waiting patrons. By the time the sun sets and the concert begins the crowd is tightly packed and eager with anticipation for the evening's music.
This year the VSO was conducted by a Briton Andrew Massey who has been with the orchestra since 2007. Massey MC'd the evening in between songs to keep the audience involved and to create a light whimsical atmosphere which reflected the musical selections. The program included a mixture of classical, popular, and Broadway musical numbers and as always the evening ended with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture seamlessly followed by a Sousa march. This was also the first year that I can remember where the fireworks representing the canons in the piece actually went off without a hitch. As the orchestra played it's final notes fireworks filled the sky from the valley below the stage. The display rivaled 4th of July presentation from the week before and left concert goers satisfied and eager for the coming musical attractions.
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