The 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin is said to be one of the world's most legendary instruments. Its mysterious history and whereabouts after it went missing for 200 years, has inspired much speculation, and many tellings of its story, including the 1998, Academy Award winning film, The Red Violin. The story of how it came into the hands of its current owner is just as fascinating.

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra will go on its first international tour next month alongside violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn, who performs on one of the world's most legendary instruments.
The musicians will also play concerts in Lafayette and Abbeville with Pitcairn and her red violin before they leave for Poland.
"Any type of venture outside of its home for a performing arts organization is a sign of an organization growing and achieving a new artistic level and sort of stronger placement and footprint on the culture map, especially if you can make those ventures to prominent places," said Mariusz Smolij, the orchestra's music director and conductor. "We are going to play in the most prestigious permanent venues in Poland and important international festivals and important historical places. It's a high quality professional tour, not just a trip abroad, where we will appear in places that anybody would like to play."

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra & Conservatory of Music held its premier fundraising event, the Mad Hatters Luncheon and Style Show, on March 22 at Le Pavillon in Lafayette. The mid-day soiree included a gourmet lunch along with a style show featuring local models highlighting spring fashions from Acadiana boutiques.
The Mad Hatter's Luncheon & Style Show is ASO's longest running fundraising event, with 100% of the proceeds supporting ASO's music education programs.

Dappled with pretty little picnic scenes, the park comes alive at 3 p.m. when the acclaimed Acadiana Symphony Orchestra begins a two-hour-long concert, led by Music Director and Conductor Mariusz Smolij. In past years audiences have been treated to well-known tunes specially arranged for the outdoor setting that includes a medley of pop, Broadway musical songs, movie themes and jazz. "Often, people perceive an orchestra as a serious ensemble, but it can be a lot of fun too," Smolij says of the varied repertoire.

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra treated seniors and staff at Avanti Senior Living in Lafayette to some wonderful music.
A string quartet with the symphony shared the sounds of Mozart with the residents on Friday, March 8.
They couldn't resist getting into the music and tapping along as the ensemble played for them.
The symphony's maestro also explained to the residents that much like Acadiana, the symphony is a melting pot.

March 7th at the Heymann Center will be a night of greatest hits by one of the most popular American classic rock bands of all time - The Eagles - performed by tribute band, 7 Bridges, and Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. This concert will feature original songs, accompanied by specially curated symphonic arrangements, to offer the audience a unique experience of the music that defined a generation.

Alicia Zeringue, Director of Strategic Communications, with Acadiana Symphony Orchestra stopped by to share the details of an incredible collaboration on March 7th.

Alicia Zeringue, Director of Strategic Communications with Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and members of the 7 Bridges Band, stopped by News15 at Noon to share the details about their epic collaboration on March 7th.

The Iberia Cultural Resources Association hosted their 14th annual Prelude to Spring concert with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra at St Peter's Catholic Church Sunday afternoon.
The orchestra played a variety of tunes both classical and symphonic as well as some from Broadway shows. They started the evening off with a high-energy selection of songs from "West Side Story" followed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Minuet" from Symphony No. 39. This "Minuet" was traditionally a dance performed at balls for royalty, and included a six-step choreography. Next up was a duo of songs from the play "Peer Gynt" including "Anitra's Dance" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King".

The Christmas Concert, featuring Marc Broussard, will be presented by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Kean Miller, on Thursday, December 14 at 7 pm in the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
One of Acadiana's many beloved holiday celebrations, this annual concert is the Symphony's longest running tradition. For more than 25 years, the Symphony has partnered with local musicians from all over Acadiana to offer audiences a holiday music experience that includes just the right blend of classical and popular melodies.

Who wants to go to the "Danger Zone" with us? Want to "Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me?" Want to go for a ride in a "Pink Cadillac"? Of course, you do.
We can go all 80s music fun with the Acadiana Symphony this Tuesday night, October 17 as we party on top of the Vermilion Parking Garage all to benefit music education in Acadiana.
This year's theme is Totally Awesome 80s! featuring a fun and elevated evening of food, cocktails, and the 80s greatest hits.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra announced that it will perform Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert, Thursday, October 26, 2023, 7PM, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series. Iya Tsyrkot, ASO Violinist, along with David Boudreaux, ASO pianist, and Alicia Zeringue, ASO Marketing Manager, stopped by News15 at Noon to share the details and perform!

Get your tickets for Harry Potter in concert at AcadianaSymphony.org or the Heymann box office.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra will perform Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in concert on October 26. Here's a sneak peak. You can get tickets AcadianaSymphony.org.

The Acadiana Symphony Orchestra are set to perform "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in Concert" in October.
ASO announced on Friday that the "Harry Potter" concert will happen Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m., at the Heymann Performing Arts Center, as part of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series. The concert will feature ASO's music director and conductor, Mariusz Smolij, conducting the Symphony in a live performance to match the film. Audiences will be able to relive the magic of the entire film on a high-definition, 40-foot screen, while hearing John Williams' unforgettable score.

If you love the Harry Potter series, then no doubt you will want to be at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The performance will begin at 7:00 pm.
That's the night that the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra presents Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in concert.
You'll be able to sit back and enjoy the film with John Williams' complete score being performed as the full film plays on the big screen.

Acadiana Conservatory of Music accepts applications and conducts auditions annually, from young musicians interested in joining one of two youth orchestras: Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra (ages 13+) and Acadiana Symphony Preparatory Orchestra (for ages 8+). All new musicians must audition.
Auditions are held in the form of video submissions. The deadline to submit your video is Saturday, August 19, 2023.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra Executive Director, Dana Baker gave highlights of the 23-24 Reflections Season, and an opportunity to build your season with a 50% discount on tickets.

ASO's Marketing and Communications Manager, Alicia Zeringue talks about the launch of Season 39 - Reflections on Passe Partout.

Photo Essay
The Iberia Cultural Resources Association presented the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra for a musical tribute to military veterans Sunday in New Iberia.

ASO's Marketing and Communications Director, Alicia highlights, and Education Director & Ticketing Manager, Michael Zeek, preview the ensemble's 39th season.

Photo Spread
Symphony Sunday in the Park was held under pleasant skies on April 2 in New Iberia's City Park. Folks relaxing on picnic blankets and chairs enjoyed the music performed by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. The Iberia Cultural Resources Association presented the event.

ASO is pleased to welcome Acadiana localite, UL alum, and Ragin Cajun enthusiast, Brad Burley to our team. As the new Director of Fund Development, Brad will lead the organization's fundraising objectives, dedicating his time to advancing development strategies that align with ASO's organizational strategic goals.

The schedule for Festival International, which runs from April 26-30, was released Fiday, giving a timetable to where the dozens of international and local artists will be playing during the free event. Lauren Daigle, who was born in Lake Charles and grew up in Lafayette, will headline the festival.
Scène Laborde Earles Fais Do Do Stage
9-10:15 a.m.: Amis du Teche (Louisiana)
10:45-11:45 a.m.: Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra ft. The Magnolia Sisters (Louisiana)
12:15-1:30 p.m.: Blue Monday Allstars (Louisiana)
2-3:15 p.m.: RAM (Haiti)
3:45-5:15 p.m.: Lafayette1823.org Presents: A Celebration of Zydeco ft. Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and special guests (Louisiana)
5:45-7 p.m.: Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba(Mali)
7:30-8:45 p.m.: JP Bimeni & the Black Belts (Burundi/UK/Louisiana)

Gregory Harrington, an accomplished violinist from Ireland, joined News15 at Noon to share the details on his upcoming performance at the Acadiana Center For The Arts. Harrington performs Sunday at 3PM. Tickets are on sale now!

According to Executive Director Dana Baker for Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (ASO), Acadiana Center for the Arts (ACA) will host the Symphony on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 7 pm to present Love, Sax & Tango - A Cultural Revolution. The Valentine's Day event will incorporate a relatively new concept in classical music that challenges orchestral norms: saxophone as the focal point of the concert. Karèn Devroop, South Africa's leading saxophonist, will join the Symphony to perform a romantic collection of tango and other love songs composed by visionaries like Astor Piazzolla and George Gershwin, as well as the guest artist himself. Tickets are on sale now.

Virginia Luque plays classical and flamenco music in a Spanish romantic style, combining extraordinary technical virtuosity, with beautiful tone and musicianship. She recently recorded Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez with the London Symphony Orchestra, at Abbey Road Studios.

ASYO Music Director & Conductor, Dragos Filip discusses the youth orchestra and their performance with the Symphony for the annual Christmas concert, at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra is going to catapult you into the spirit of the season with an amazing Christmas Concert.

Every year, the Acadiana Symphony brings generations together with the sounds of the season at its annual Christmas Concert, this year scheduled for December 13th. The theme - "Do You Hear What I Hear" - pairs the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra with guest artist Christopher "Burris" Hochkeppel.

ASO Marketing & Communication Manager Alicia Zeringue, and Education Director, Michael Zeek discuss the organization's upcoming Christmas concert.

Mimi and ASO Executive Director, Dana Baker talk about their initial connection years ago, how the ASO started, and events that are coming up!

From The 705: Dana Baker, Executive Director of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, is no stranger to Live Events, Concerts and Nonprofits. Chief Memory Maker of her own event planning company, Baker Girl Social Club she boasts an extensive background with Lafayette's own Festival International and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from the University of Louisiana - Lafayette.

ASO Marketing & Communications Manager, Alicia Zeringue discusses the organization's 2022 Christmas concert at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

ASO Marketing & Communications Manager, Alicia Zeringue sits down with KRVS General Manager, Cheryl Devall, to talk about ASO's 38th season, Turning Points, and Symphony in the Sky.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra's Symphony in the Sky is back for its fifth year on Tuesday, October 18, with Symphony Night Fever - an evening of disco's greatest hits, performed by the Symphony and local guest vocalists, on top of the Vermilion Street parking garage, in downtown Lafayette, at 5:30pm.

What do you get when you cross a "Star Wars" fan and a music fan? The perfect patron for this awesome concert being planned by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are on sale now for "Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert", the first Masterworks performance of the season from the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra. The concert is set for Thursday, September 22 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.

In a new collaboration launching this fall, the Acadiana Center for the Arts and the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra present The Listening Room Chamber Music Series-offering experiences of high quality symphonic music in intimate settings. For these concerts, the ACA's Devin Moncus Theater is converted into a parlor environment, setting the stage (literally) for exciting performances of classic musical works performed by traveling ensembles and musicians from around the world.

This season, the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer 7 Masterworks concerts, as well as 4 NEW chamber music concerts, as part of ASO & AcA's NEW series, The Listening Room.

What's a "listening room"? I'm glad you asked because this one is easy to explain. A listening room can be one of two things. First, it can be a dedicated space in your home or office optimally designed for listening to music. The quality of the room can vary, from a simple small room with a simple audio source to acoustically-designed rooms with multiple speakers, sound-deadening features, and a top-of-the-line audio source. The other kind of listening room is the kind of which we speak in this article. It is a music venue where patrons understand that the music comes first. No cell phones, no talking, no moving around during the performance: the music is not only the main event, but it's also the ONLY event.

ASO and AcA are pleased to premier their new chamber music series, with a presentation of the most famous chamber pieces, written by the biggest stars of the 19th Century European salons - Frédéric Chopin and Franz Schubert.

Nearly 15,000 elementary students within the Lafayette Parish School System will have an opportunity to experience the arts through the "Arts Experiences for All" program in the upcoming school year that begins in August.
In a presentation during the July 13 school board meeting, LPSS' Art Supervisor Paget Guidry said the Primary Academy and Creative Experience program would be expanded to include grades Pre-K through 5th grade to fulfill a vision of providing every student in those grade levels the opportunity to receive in-school and off-campus experiences in all art forms.

Acadiana Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has announced its 38th season premiere and if you are a Star Wars fan, this is something you won't want to miss. ASO's 38th season, Turning Points, will premiere with a complete screening of the 1977 blockbuster film, Star Wars: A New Hope.