The Elkhart County Symphony will begin its 76th season of performances, Sunday, Sept. 10, with Cinema in the Gardens at Wellfield Botanic Garden, 1011 N. Main St. This season-opening homage to music for film will feature guest composer Rick DeJonge and present a timeless and rousing array of selections; including music from the award-winning movies Star Wars and Amadeus.

News Release

ELKHART — The Elkhart Symphony’s Cinema in the Gardens will feature Rick DeJonge and present selections from some of history’s most beloved films.

The Elkhart County Symphony will begin its 76th season of performances, Sunday, Sept. 10, with Cinema in the Gardens at Wellfield Botanic Garden, 1011 N. Main St. This season-opening homage to music for film — sponsored by Tom Myers — will feature guest composer Rick DeJonge and present a timeless and rousing array of selections; including music from the award-winning movies Star Wars and Amadeus.

DeJonge, a widely-acclaimed composer, educator and film scorer, will guest conduct three pieces he wrote for film, and the symphony will perform a special composition, Magical Passages, he was commissioned to write in honor of the season-opening event.

The season premier will get underway at 3 p.m. with a session of the popular Pre-Concert Conductor Conversations series — featuring Conn-Selmer Endowed Music Conductor Soo Han and Mr. DeJonge — and Cinema in the Gardens will begin at 4 p.m.

The complete repertoire of symphony performances to be guided by Maestro Soo Han’s nimble baton will include selections from the movie Amadeus; Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in g minor and Symphony No. 29 in A Major. John Williams’ March from 1941 and Star Wars Epic Suite Part II (arr. by Robert W. Smith), Prelude; Music from 49th Parallel by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and choice selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music will also be a part of the evening’s musical journey; to be enjoyed amidst the natural beauty of Wellfield Garden.

“It is somewhat rare to be able to perform, in a space like this one, classical music that is so beloved and so instantly recognized by so many people,” said Conn-Selmer Endowed Music Conductor, Soo Han. “I think it is a great opportunity; a great opportunity to start this new season with great energy and deeply connect with our audience. And we are very happy to have Mr. DeJonge as our guest. This is going to be a very special season premier, and a very special season.”

Star Wars Epic Suite II — comprised of four themes by John Willams, arranged into three movements by Robert W. Smith, and permeated over time throughout the minds of millions — has received global acclaim for decades and includes Princess Leia’s Theme (from Episode IV: A New Hope), Imperial March/The Forest Battle (from Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi ) and the nearly-proverbial Star Wars Main Theme.

“We decided that the best way to honor last year’s fantastic Diamond Jubilee season is to make this season even better,” Said John Hill, Co-Executive Director of the Elkhart County Symphony Association. “Cinema in the Gardens is a perfect way to get Season 76 started. We are pleased to have Rick DeJonge join us, and we look forward to his composition, Magical Passages. This season premier, much like this entire season, is going to be warm and inviting; inventive and substantial, and close to the hearts of our audience.”

Tickets for Cinema in the Gardens may be purchased at The Lerner Theatre Box Office in-person, or by calling (574) 293-4469, or at the The Lerner website.