Manchester University

The Manchester Symphony Orchestra opens its 85th season with the world premiere of a piece composed by Debra Lynn, its conductor and artistic director.

"Proverbes sur les Animaux" for soprano, strings, harp, and percussion features soloist Emily Lynn, operatic soprano, a 2020 graduate of Manchester University who grew up in in North Manchester. 

“These French sayings, one of which translates to ‘The toad’s spit doesn’t reach the white dove,’ can be quite humorous, and I am looking forward to introducing this piece to the world," Debra Lynn said.

The Serenade of Strings concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 in Cordier Auditorium at Manchester University.

The all-strings program includes “Serenata Notturna” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, “The Fire Remains” by contemporary composer Linda Kernohan, and “A Moorside Suite” by Gustav Holst.

Tickets are $20 for general admission. Go to www.manchestersymphonyorchestra.org to buy tickets. They are also available at the door. Admission with ID is free for Manchester University students, faculty and staff, as well as anyone 18 and younger.

Balancing celebrated masterworks with pieces by composers who are underrepresented in classical music, nearly a quarter of the season’s programming is music by non-male and non-white composers.

For the media

Dr. Debra J. Lynn is a collaborative musical storyteller. Learn more about Dr. Lynn: https://debralynnmusic.org/

To arrange an interview with her, email DJLynn@manchester.edu.

More about Emily Lynn: https://www.emilyroselynnsoprano.com/ 

With about 6,000 residents, North Manchester is one of the smallest communities in the nation with its own symphony orchestra. Residents of Wabash County and what was then Manchester College founded the symphony in 1939. That partnership continues today with a carefully crafted collaboration of professional and community musicians, as well as selected Manchester faculty, staff and student musicians. Learn more: Manchester Symphony Orchestra.