Date Night at the KSO

Join the KSO for a Romantic Night Out

Join us for date night at the KSO. This all orchestral concert features heart pounding music by the Russian composers Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky. Dinner and a rose paired with this serenely beautiful music make for the perfect evening out. The concert will be held November 17th at Florence Baptist Church in Mt. Zion. The show will begin at 8:00 P.M. Tickets range from $19-35 and can be purchased online or at the box office by calling 859.431.6216. Student rush tickets are $15 at the door with a student ID. The concert is a great way to start off your holiday season. Hope to see you there!

The Circus is Coming to Devou!

The circus is coming to Devou Park on September 4th. There won’t be a big-top tent or elephants, but highflying, spinning, fire breathing, juggling acrobats and clowns will offer fun, thrills and nostalgia for the entire family.

Paul Miller, creator of Circus Mojo, and former Ringling Bros. clown, convinced his professional circus colleagues from around the country to converge on Covington’s Devou Park for a one-night only, multi-ring extravaganza, accompanied live by the KSO. World-class trapeze artists Duo Rosewill perform their international award winning aerial / contortion act (check them out on Youtube), while Cincinnati native, Harry Moeller appears as “the human spoke” (Harry is just off the Britney Spears “Circus” tour). New York based Cirque du Soleil instructor Amy Chenoffers aerial, fire breathing and juggling skills, while Paul Lopez walks a freestanding ladder (Paul has worked with the Flying Wallendas and was a part of the seven-person-pyramid). And these are just a few of the performers slated to appear.

Musically, the KSO digs into the old circus band music as well as new Klezmer-esque sounds of Peter Bufano’s Cirkestra, plus classical and movie favorites (see program). The concessions have stocked up on popcorn, hot- dogs, cotton candy and snowcones, so all we need to close out the KSO’s 16th summer in Devou Park is you! Join Music Director James Cassidy and the KSO with Circus Mojo, Saturday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m. The Free TANK Shuttle from Covington Catholic to the band shell starts running at 6:00 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn-chairs and pack a picnic.

For more information and directions, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216. Free admission and parking; $5 donation suggested.

"Sing We and Chant It"

Thomas morley wasn't a monk, but his 16th century madrigal does capture what the KSO offers on its upcoming program of chant inspired music.


American composer Aaron Jay Kernis sought the 12th century inspiration of Hildegard von Bingen for his Musica Celestis for string orchestra. Like Samuel Barbers' famous Adagia for strings, Kernis also adapted his emotional sound scape from the second movement of his string quartet. Musical fire and brimstone appear courtesy of Franz Liszts's Totentanz (Dance of Death) and renowned pianist Michael Chertock, playing the devilishly difficult variations on "Dies Irae" (Day of Wrath).

The program's second half adds 100 voices from the KSO Chorale and CIncinnati CHoral Society for the beautiful and contemplative Requiem of Maurice Durufle. Unlike Mozart's or Verdi's Requiems, Durufle's mass (service) for the dead was dedicated to the composer's father, and includes the unusual settings of the Pie Jesu and In Paradisum to reinforce the loving kindness of God and the peacefulness of paradise in lieu of the Last Judgment.


Join music director James Cassidy, Michael Chertock, the KSO Chorale, Cincinnati Chorale Society and the KSO for a liturgical performance.

8:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21 at Florence Baptist Church at Mt.Zion

3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 22 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.

Tickets are $28 & $23 dollars with discounts for seniors and students.

For more information please call the KSO at (859) 431-6216 or visit our website at www.kyso.org

2009-2010 Free Education Series

There are many students in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area that do not have access to music education, and therefore do not have a way to develop an appreciation for or enjoy music and the arts. As a way to give back to our community and encourage young people around our area to learn about and enjoy music, we offer a free education program to public and private grade schools and high schools in our area. The KSO uses its education series to introduce and showcase classical music and its derivatives, and assists in teaching core concepts of the arts and humanities.

This season, we have two programs that we are offering to students. The first is called, "Getting to Know You," which will be offered October 27th and 28th at two times on both days. This program is geared to students in the 4th and 5th grades. Its purpose is to introduce the instruments of the orchestra individually and in their respective families. A few of the numbers include, "Getting to Know You," (Rodgers), "Theme from the Simpsons," (Elfman), "Fanfare for the Common Man," (Britten), and more.

The second program will be geared towards students in grades 6-12. The program is called "Rags to Riches," and will take place on February 23rd and 24th, also offered twice on each day. This program, offered appropriately during Black History Month, traces the history of ragtime, blues, Dixieland, and early jazz (1895-1929). Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky composers/musicians and local history are all incorporated in this visual presentation and authentic performance by the KSO's own Newport Ragtime Band.

To read more about our Education Series, visit our webpage here.

Save the Date: October 4th ~ An Evening with the JR's!

Bring your appetite and your camera for a spectacular dinner and view on Sunday, October 4 when the Radisson Riverview 360 restaurant presents...

“An Evening with the JR’s”
A duel of culinary and musical delights.

The two best-known J.R.s in town – chef Jean-Robert de Cavel and music director James R. Cassidy – have teamed up for a fundraiser for the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. “Anything that I can do for the Kentucky Symphony; I love going to the concerts,” exclaimed Jean-Robert.

The evening will include a five-course gourmet menu and wine pairing composed and prepared by Chef Jean-Robert with the area’s greatest views from the Radisson Riverview 360. To further add to the ambience, the KSO’s Flood Wall Jazz Quintet will perform throughout the evening. Cocktails will be at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Deadline for reservations is Wednesday, September 30. Reservations may be made by phone (859-431-6216) or online at www.kyso.org. Seating is very limited: tickets are $175 per person; $1,500 for an exclusive table of eight. Valet parking is included in the ticket price. The Radisson Riverview 360 restaurant is located on Fifth Street in Covington, Kentucky.

The KSO reaches 35,00 people annually with attractive, accessible, and affordable programs in parks, schools, and concert halls throughout the Northern Kentucky area. This event is a benefit for the KSO sponsored by the Radisson Riverview 360, the only revolving restaurant in the Mid-West. Wine is provided by Cutting Edge Selections.