music by the pool
An evening of Classical music at poolside with GBS' own musicians was hosted by Board Chair Doris Harrington and her husband Herb. About 50 friends gathered, exemplifying GBS' 2021-22 season theme "COMING TOGETHER AGAIN."
Enjoy a sumptuous brunch with friends old and new at the beautiful Fairfield County Hunt Club. Omelet bar, carving stations, and open bar. Silent auction, too!
Brunch at the
fairfield county hunt club
sun. july 18, 11 am- 2 pm
What a season!
GBS thanks all of you who subscribed to our at home series.
We are planning a full season - live! - beginning October 16.
We'll also continue our eSubscription program, so that you can experience GBS wherever you are.
"The eSubscription is fantastic!"
"What a wonderful way to enjoy the symphony! Best seats in the house!"
"It was beautiful -
a true light in the darkness."
two summer events
At GBS, we know that music transcends difficult times. We had imagined our 75th season, 2020-21 quite differently, with gala events to celebrate three-quarters of a century of great music in Bridgeport, but fate had other ideas. We were proud to present four full concerts for at-home viewing, and the people that took eSubscriptions came not only from our local area, but from all over the country! To see what we offered, please see below. We hope to see you, in person and in your living rooms, next season for
COMING TOGETHER AGAIN.
The four concerts below were available all season long.
Albums to be released soon!
Watch this page for news of two upcoming GBS albums!
GBS with TIFFANY POON
Spring 2021
GBS with SANDEEP DAS, KAYHAN KALHOR, MATHIAS KUNZLI, KAREN OUZOUNIAN and MARIO GOTOH
Summer 2021
2020-21: the year you may not want
to remember, but will never forget.
Our 75th Season was planned to be a year of
celebration, filled with music and camaraderie.
Fate had other ideas, though; we were not able
to have receptions and galas that honored three-
quarters of a century of culture in Bridgeport,
and even meeting each other at concerts was
banned. But, with your support (and a lot of hard work
and faith in each other), this became our bravest year . . .
and perhaps our best yet. At the beginning of
this season, we promised you a Crescendo:
a growth in size and strength,
as permitted by health regulations,
that would bring music to you,
even when you could not come to
see us. Over the last eleven months,
GBS did things almost no other
orchestra even tried: a live outdoor
concert on Labor Day and a full season
of concerts, presented in a way that
18 months ago would have seemed im-
possible. Even now, we are in the process
of expanding our outreach into schools.
Next year, we’ll be an even greater
Greater Bridgeport Symphony!
Kudos to our family of performers and
their leader – who has become a friend
in our own homes –
conductor Eric Jacobsen.
. . . and we will be back in 2021-2022!
GBS is deep into planning dates and programs for five concerts next season. While we hope to be in the concert hall again, we now have the capability to present concerts remotely.
THE MUSIC LIVES ON AT GBS!
We look forward to seeing you again
when the time is right,
and in the meantime we wish
you and your families
good health and warm regards.
A special message from Eric Jacobsen
Our music director, Eric Jacobsen, sends his best wishes to all GBS fans, along with this special performance.
Recording Session: Aaj Ki Raat and Atashgah
Watch an amazing recording session with conductor Eric Jacobsen, Silkroad artists Sandeep Das, Kayhan Kalhor, Karen Ouzounian, Mathias Kunzli, and Shawn Conley perform with the GBS at Just Right Studios in Bridgeport, CT. Put on your headphones, turn up the sound and enjoy our mini-performance of music from last season’s opener.
ALBUM TO BE RELEASED SOON!
The Lark Ascending at the Palace
Watch this masterful convergence of music and place as the Jacobsen brothers perform Ralph Vaughn Williams’ The Lark Ascending at the long- abandoned Palace Theatre in Bridgeport, CT. Directed by Vitor Hirtsch, this magical video is the first of “The Bridgeport Sets” showcasing the GBS performing in iconic Bridgeport settings.
COMPETITIONS
The Covid crisis placed the 2020 Young Instrumentalist and 2020 Emerging Composers Competitions on hold.
GBS will continue these competitions, which were well underway, as soon as it is safe to do so.
Young Instrumentalists' Competition 2020
Auditions for six incredibly talented finalists was scheduled with Maestro Jacobsen for an opportunity to solo with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony during the 2020-2021 concert season.
Emerging Composers Competition 2020
Enter this national competition for the opportunity to premiere your composition during a concert conducted by Maestro Jacobsen during the 2020-2021 concert season.
OUR MAESTRO ERIC JACOBSEN
Eric Jacobsen, a world-renowned cellist, was only 32 years old when he took the podium in September 2014 as Music Director of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony. Hailed by the New York Times as “an interpretive dynamo,” Jacobsen has built a reputation for engaging audiences with innovative and collaborative programming. Eric is also conductor of The Knights and serves as the Music Director for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
SUPPORT
Support the
Greater Bridgeport Symphony
A gift to the Greater Bridgeport Symphony is a gift to the Community.
Your financial support enables us to celebrate, educate, inspire and provide excellence in musical programming in the Greater Bridgeport Community.
Need help? Contact us at 203-576-0263
Special thanks to our sponsors and supporters
The Ernest and Joan Trefz Foundation