Kettle Moraine Symphony to perform this Saturday, February 8th

The Kettle Moraine Symphony will be performing American composer Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Quiet City in an “Informance” format this Saturday, February 8th, at 3 p.m. at The Bend Theater in West Bend.

An “Informance” is a performance where members of the symphony and The Music Director talk about the history, musical roots, and other musical highlights of the works being performed. Dr. Peter Gibeau will be the featured speaker in this year’s Informance.

KMS Music Director/Conductor Dr. Richard Hyson will be discussing the history of Appalachian Spring and Quiet City and demonstrating some excerpts from the music. Dr. Peter Gibeau will be discussing and performing various musical themes and highlights of the two pieces. This will be done in an enlightening and accessible format for regular symphony attendees as well as first-time symphony goers. Gibeau has performed with KMS for 32 years. He met KMS founding Music Director Albert “Bud” Asch while working as a music professor at UWM – Washington County.

Gibeau plays the bass with the symphony, is Secretary of the Board of Directors, and lends a hand with other symphony projects when needed. Over the years, he has seen KMS evolve into a true regional symphony composed of the best players in the Kettle Moraine and surrounding areas. Gibeau’s specialty is music theory, and he will use this background to make his part of the Informance relaxing and fun. Gibeau explains that Copland incorporates familiar melodies such as “Simple Gifts” in various themes and variations in his work, and Gibeau will demonstrate how this is used in the performance.

Saturday’s KMS Appalachian Spring and Quiet City concert will be performed without intermission and will run for approximately an hour and a half. This will be an entertaining opportunity for people who are not familiar with symphonic music to enjoy the experience and for symphony aficionados to learn more about works they may be familiar with. KMS will be providing themed snacks after the performance and of course, The Bend’s bar will be open. Tickets are available at https://kettle-moraine-symphony.betterworld.org/events/appalachian-spring, Student tickets are free,