When it is a choice between bassoons and blitzes, flutes and footballs, trombones and touchdowns in northeast Wisconsin, Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra Director David Becker knows where priorities lie.
To accommodate both music lovers and Packer Backers, Becker has moved up the time of the Sunday, Jan. 23 Lawrence Symphony Orchestra concert to 12:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Memorial Chapel. The concert was originally scheduled for 3 p.m. The Green Bay Packers play the Chicago Bears in the NFC championship game at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
“I fully realize that there are people who are not interested in football and would still attend the LSO concert, but I’m also a realist and not just strictly arty,” said Becker. “The Packers game is obviously a major event not only in this area, but throughout the state and going head-to-head with the game would seriously diminish an audience for our concert.
“Instead of competing with the big game, we want to serve as a ‘musical tailgate’ to it,” Becker added. “We invite people to come and enjoy a great concert and then go cheer the Packers on to the Super Bowl.”
In keeping with the spirit of the day, people attending the concert are encouraged to wear their green and gold Packers gear.
Sunday’s 95-minute concert will feature works by Vaughan Williams, Poulenc and Rossini. Guest performers include Lawrence seniors Dario LaPoma and Hazim Suhadi, co-winners of the 2010-11 concerto competition and Lawrence Associate Professor of Music James DeCorsey, horn.
