About the program
In a belated celebration of Women’s History Month, we are bringing voices to the concert hall that are usually underrepresented. We will begin with more recent compositions including Jennifer Higdon’s Celebration Fanfare and Barbara Harbach’s Night Soundings for Orchestra. Local flutist Katrina Owens will be featured on Cécile Chaminade’s Concertino. We will conclude with Amy Beach’s epic Symphony in E minor entitled Gaelic. Guest Conductor William Stevens.
Program subject to change.
Celebration Fanfare |
Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962) |
Symphony No. 6 “Night Soundings for Orchestra” I. Cloak of Darkness II. Notturno III. Midnight Tango |
Barbara Harbach (b. 1946) |
Concertino for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 107 Soloist: Katrina Owens, flute |
Cécile Chaminade (1857-1944) |
INTERMISSION |
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Symphony in E minor, Op. 32 “Gaelic” I. Allegro con fuoco II. Alla Siciliana III. Lento con molto espressione IV. Allegro di molto |
Amy Beach (1867-1944) |
Guests
william stevens- conductor

William Stevens is an active performer and conductor throughout the Hudson Valley. He is one of the band and jazz band directors at Union Vale Middle School in the Arlington Central School District in LaGrangeville, NY. William’s professional conducting experience includes numerous musical productions with the Admiral Players; principal conductor of the Hudson Valley Saxophone Orchestra; and guest conductor for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra (NDSO) since 2014. With NDSO he led the New York State premiere of the Scott Routenberg Concerto for Jazz Violin and Orchestra. He was also chosen as a conducting finalist for the Woodstock Symphony Orchestra (WSO) in 2017 and in 2022 and was reviewed by Leslie Gerber of Hudson Valley One: “I have never heard the WSO sound as good as it did during this concert. Those of us who were in the audience were lucky to be there.” William has been sought after as an All-County conductor and has led groups in Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Tioga counties.
He is currently the principal clarinetist for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra and the Greater Newburgh Symphony, and has performed in Europe and at Carnegie Hall with the New York Wind Symphony. William received his Bachelor of Music Education and Performance degree from SUNY Fredonia, and his Masters degree in Clarinet Performance from Ithaca college. He has studied conducting with Dr. Russel C. Mikkelson (former Director of Bands, SUNY Fredonia), Dr. Paula Holcomb (Director of Bands, SUNY Fredonia), Dr. David Rudge (Director of Orchestras, SUNY Fredonia), and Dr. Steve Petersen (former Director of Bands, Ithaca College). William lives in Poughkeepsie, NY with his supportive husband Chris.
He is currently the principal clarinetist for the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra and the Greater Newburgh Symphony, and has performed in Europe and at Carnegie Hall with the New York Wind Symphony. William received his Bachelor of Music Education and Performance degree from SUNY Fredonia, and his Masters degree in Clarinet Performance from Ithaca college. He has studied conducting with Dr. Russel C. Mikkelson (former Director of Bands, SUNY Fredonia), Dr. Paula Holcomb (Director of Bands, SUNY Fredonia), Dr. David Rudge (Director of Orchestras, SUNY Fredonia), and Dr. Steve Petersen (former Director of Bands, Ithaca College). William lives in Poughkeepsie, NY with his supportive husband Chris.
Katrina owens- flutist

Originally from McLean, Virginia, Katrina Owens is currently the piccolo player in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. Prior to joining the Army in 2014, she completed degrees from the University of North Texas and George Mason University. Before joining the West Point Band, Katrina performed in the Dallas area with the Madera Wind Quintet and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, as well as working with Eugene Corporon and the North Texas Wind Symphony on numerous recording projects. She has also performed with the Ohio Light Opera and the Franco-American Vocal Academy Orchestra in Perigueux, France. Currently, Katrina regularly performs with the Hudson Opera Theatre and is an original member of Vent Nouveau, the Hudson Valley’s premiere wind chamber ensemble. In her spare time, Katrina enjoys hiking and playing “Duplos” with her two young boys (Alec and Evan), and her “bigger” boy/husband, Bill.
Participate in our Celebration of Women
NDSO would like to recognize “the women most influential in OUR lives.” These great women may be personal, historical, fictional, or whatever. They will be displayed at the concert for all to see.
Please help us with this project. We just need a photo of “the most influential woman in YOUR life” along with accompanying information. The text need not be extensive, only heartfelt. Feel free to contribute multiple submissions, if you wish. We will take care of the formatting and printing for the display. Contributions due April 22 Please send to Debbie Contini by email, text or snail mail. continidm@aol.com 914-475-6718 68 Martin Road, Hopewell Junction, NY 12533 Thank you very much for your participation!! |
Here is an example of what we have in mind.
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