Orchestral Fireworks!
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Courtney Hershey Bress, harpist
Christopher Dragon, Music Director
Greensboro Symphony Orchestra
Berlioz – Hungarian March
Michael Daugherty – Harp of the Ages
Mussorgsky (arr. Ravel) – Pictures at an Exhibition
Sponsored by Laura and Robert Green
Join us for our closing Masterworks concert of the season with an evening of orchestral splendor featuring harpist Courtney Hershey Bress. The program includes Berlioz’s spirited Hungarian March, Michael Daugherty’s captivating Harp of the Ages, and Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition.
About the guest artist:
Courtney Hershey Bress is a trailblazing soloist, acclaimed educator, and Principal Harpist of the Colorado Symphony since 2001. Known for her magnetic stage presence and brilliant artistry, Bress has dazzled audiences across Asia, Australia, South America, and the U.S., performing with top-tier ensembles including the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and as Principal Harpist and featured soloist with the U.S. Army Field Band, Washington D.C. on many coast-to-coast tours of all 48 continental states.
A passionate champion of new music, Bress premiered Harp of Ages, Michael Daugherty’s first and only harp concerto—written expressly for her—in 2023 with the Colorado Symphony, followed by its international debut with the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia in Bogotá. The national tour kicked off in fall 2024, and the world premiere recording with the Colorado Symphony, released by Naxos Records, is now streaming on all digital platforms.
Her festival appearances include Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Grand Teton Music Festival, and Strings Music Festival, along with acting Principal Harpist with the Baltimore Symphony. Whether performing at the World Harp Congress, the American Harp Society, or on GRAMMY®-nominated recordings (Ancient Voices of Children by George Crumb), Bress brings an unmistakable voice and deep musical insight to every stage.
Beyond performing, Bress is a sought-after master teacher and speaker. She is the Professor of Harp at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Harp Instructor at the Lamont Summer Academy, Lecturer of Harp at the University of Wyoming, and has held faculty roles at Colorado State University and the Eastman School of Music.
Bress holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Her teachers include Sarah Bullen, Kathleen Bride, and Gretchen Van Hoesen.
Learn more: courtneyhersheybress.com
Additional Purchase Options
- In person // Greensboro Symphony Box Office (Weekdays from 10am – 4:30pm). The Greensboro Symphony’s box office is located in the Greensboro Cultural Center at 200 N. Davie Street, Suite 301.
- In person // Tanger Center Ticket Office (Tu-Sa, Noon-5pm). The Tanger Center’s ticket office is located at One Abe Brenner Pl., between Elm and Davie Streets.
- By phone // Weekdays from 10am – 4:30pm at (336) 335.5456, ext.224
Venue
Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
Greensboro, NC 27401 United States
Musicology Mixology
Join us for Musicology Mixology before the concert and enjoy concert themed discussions in the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts prior to each Masterworks concert! Get ready to dive deep into the music when local musicologists share fascinating insights into the works featured on the program. You will also hear from GSO musicians, making this an unforgettable pre-concert experience.
LOCATION & TIME:
Brady Services Suite
3rd Floor of the Tanger Center
Doors open, 6PM; Presentation starts, 6:45PM (Note the new time!)
Come early and enjoy food and beverages available for purchase at the concessions. See you there!