Flint Symphony Orchestra

Enrique Diemecke, music director & conductor
Zhengyi Huang, piano
2024 William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition Winner 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major 
Johann Strauss Jr.
 Overture from Die Fledermaus (The Bat)
 Frühlingsstimmen, op. 410 (Voices of Spring)
 Kaiser-Waltzer, op. 437 (Emperor Waltz)
 Pizzicato Polka
Johann Strauss Sr., Radetzky March, op. 228 
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Swan Lake Suite, op. 20a 

When you think of ballet, chances are good that right after tutus and pointe shoes, your mind will conjure a Tchaikovsky earworm from the Swan Lake Suite. Movements from one of his best-known works are used liberally in film and television, creating a familiar soundtrack to a ballet performance in popular culture. A full ballet, Tchaikovsky once wrote, is not a thing with a permanent existence. This concert suite derived from his full-length work stands alone from the dance it was once meant to accompany. That doesn’t mean we don’t intend to dance anyway! The program also features a variety of favorite dances by Strauss, Jr., and Mozart’s 21st piano concerto.

Where have I heard this before?  
Often nicknamed the “Elvira Madigan” concerto, Mozart’s Concerto 21 was used as the soundtrack of a 1967 Swedish film of the same name, which tells the story of a circus performer, forbidden love, and a suicide pact.

Inside the Music • 6:30pm 
Title: 88 Keys to the Musical Universe
Guest Speaker: Shayla Hottinger Powell, Descant Choir Conductor

Zhengyi Huang, piano
2024 William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition Winner

A native of Shenzhen, China, Zhengyi Huang made the decision to move to the United States after middle school to study with Dr. Jay Hershberger, the president of the American Liszt Society. Upon high school graduation, Zhengyi earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and two Master of Music degrees (Piano Performance and Chamber Music) from the University of Michigan, studying with Dr. Logan Skelton.

In addition to the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition, Zhengyi has won many competitions including: the gold prize of the Chinese National Elegant Young Artist Competition (2009); first prize of the Third Hong Kong International Piano Competition China Division (2013); grand prize winner of the Young Artists Solo Competition sponsored by the Fargo-Moorehead Symphony Orchestra and Minnesota Public Radio (2016); first prize in the Marian Garcia Piano Competition; first and audience favorite prizes in the Grand Junction (Colorado) Concerto Competition; second place in the MTNA-Steinway Young Artist Competition National Final (2022); and first place in the Rosamond P. Haeberle Piano Award Competition (2022). He is currently on a full-ride scholarship as a student at Rice University studying toward an Artist Diploma with Dr. Jon Kimura Parker.

Title Sponsor
James and Patt Spangler in memory of Gloria and Erick Van Duyne

Principal Sponsors
St. Cecilia Society
Dr. Erick Van Duyne in memory of Gloria Van Duyne

Supporting Sponsors
Linda LeMieux
Betty Salimi
Dr. Rama Rao

Preferred Steinway Performance Sponsors
Dr. Brenda Fortunate in Memory of C. Edward White

ASL Sponsor  

Age recommendation: No one under 5 admitted (including babes in arms)

Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes
Including intermission

Sensory warning: Full band and loud volume.

Genesee County residents receive 30% off – discount applied at checkout. 

Tickets start at $18 (plus fees)