The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra will join 28 other orchestras this March to celebrate Connecticut Orchestra Month, a statewide initiative that highlights the joy and accessibility of live orchestral music.

Connecticut Orchestra Month spotlights the vital role that orchestras in Connecticut play in the state's cultural life and in the arts education of students across the state. The 29 orchestras which are participating in Connecticut Orchestra Month illustrate the richness of Connecticut's orchestral resources. Together, they represent:

• 2,400 musicians performing in orchestras across Connecticut.
• 282 performances take place each year, reaching audiences of over 186,000 people.
• 350 community and educational events engaging 45,000 student participants, including students at 230 schools.

Audiences across Connecticut and in New London can experience a wide variety of performances, from classic masterpieces and live film scores to diverse musical styles and exciting new works. With 29 participating orchestras offering captivating concerts and educational programs, the month promises something for everyone—whether it’s an inspiring evening out, a dazzling date night, or a fun-filled family outing.

As part of the musical celebration, the ECSO will present:

March 29^th- Fanfare For Life & Spring

• 7:30pm at the Garde Arts Center in New London, CT

 This concert is generously sponsored by Upton Bass String Instrument Co.

Taking place on National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the ECSO’s March concert is a dedication to the commitment of armed forces and heralds in Spring. The program will begin with two haunting works from 70 years apart: These Worlds in Us of 2006 by Missy Mazzoli, Musical America’s 2022 Composer-of-the-Year, and Samuel Barber’s 1936 Adagio for Strings, dedicated to the late ECSO Board member, John Anthony.

Appropriately, since the day before is World Piano Day— the 88^th day of the year, for the instrument’s 88 keys—the ECSO will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s excitingly modern Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major from 1921. The soloist is Adam Adov, a Boston Conservatory at Berklee student who won the ECSO’s 2024 Instrumental Competition. Concluding the concert will be Robert Schumann’s sprightly Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Minor, known as the “Spring Symphony,” written in 1841.

There will be a pre-concert chat at 6:30pm prior to the concert on March 29. This event is free and open to the public. It will be in the Oasis room located in the Garde Arts Center through the side "G" door entrance. No need to RSVP, just arrive and enjoy. There will be limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis. While you don't need a ticket to enjoy the lecture, you will need a ticket to get into the concert hall afterwards and ticket scanners will be standing by. These chats are generously sponsored through a Connecticut Humanities Quick Grant and through partnership with the Garde Arts Center’s P:ACE initiatives.

First-time concertgoers and seasoned audience members alike are encouraged to attend and experience the power of live orchestral music.