Miami University Symphony Orchestra presents “Symphonic Fireworks”

The concert will open with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Op. 96, conducted by senior Ezra Simmons, a past winner of the Miami University Composition Competition. Simmons brings a fresh perspective to Shostakovich’s jubilant work, setting the stage for a powerful evening.

Continuing the program is Schubert’s Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”, a beloved work known for its lyrical beauty. The performance will also feature the world premiere of Professor Phillip Roberts’ Hocket Rocket, a cutting-edge piece dedicated to MUSO and Ricardo Averbach. This inventive composition merges medieval hocket techniques with funk rock grooves, inspired by George Clinton and Funkadelic, creating a whirlwind of rhythmic intensity.