One of my favorite children’s books of all time is Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Often given as a gift to young people starting out on a new chapter in life,  the classic was originally a graduation speech, and it’s full of the kind of heartfelt optimism that even us “old folks” can feel when we start out on a new adventure. Sarasota Orchestra is feeling that same giddy anticipation as six-time GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Giancarlo Guerrero makes his debut as our new music director in a series of concerts at the Sarasota Opera House on November 7-9.

As someone who’s been in the Orchestra for over 30 years, I’ve seen much change. Our once sleepy beach town is now an international arts destination, and our once small, local Orchestra has grown in size and quality, such that we can now attract one of the most sought-after conductors in the world to be our leader. Maestro Guerrero comes to us from the Nashville Symphony, with which he led 21 recordings during his 16 years as music director. He is a regular guest conductor on the podiums of the most important orchestras in North and South America, as well as prestigious ensembles across Europe and Australia. He’s “the real deal,” as musicians like to say, and we cannot wait to see what he has planned for our Orchestra!

The first thing he has in store is a reimagined Masterworks program, now to be held at the Sarasota Opera House. Hurricane Milton was unkind to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and Sarasota Orchestra has moved quickly to find alternative venues in which to perform. Luckily, Sarasota arts organizations still maintain a “small town” mutual support of each other, and Sarasota Opera was extraordinarily accommodating in finding a way to host Maestro Guerrero’s debut as our music director. With a smaller stage to work with, the program has been changed, and we will now offer up a feel-good concert of orchestral favorites, including Antonín Dvořák’s beloved “New World” Symphony. The symphony is perhaps best known for its gorgeous second movement, which features an extended solo for the English horn playing the melody that later become the spiritual “Goin’ Home.” There is never a dry eye in the house at the end of that special movement.

International violin superstar Vadim Gluzman will perform Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto—and if you have ever heard that piece, you know that it’s a showstopping classic, full of gorgeous melodies and requiring extraordinary feats of violin wizardry from the soloist. Gluzman is among the most celebrated violin “wizards” playing today, and I have no doubt that his performance will leave the audience starstruck. The program starts with party music: Dvořák’s celebratory CarnivalOverture. After what we’ve all been through over the last month, a little party music seems like just what the doctor ordered!

The program, which has performances on November 7 and 8 at 7:30 pm and a matinee at 2:00 pm on November 9, is titled Going Places. This orchestra is indeed going places, and I, for one, could not be more excited. In the words of Dr. Seuss, “Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!”

We hope you’ll join us as Sarasota Orchestra embarks on its next great adventure with new, world-class leadership bringing national and international recognition to your Orchestra. The possibilities are endless—oh, the places we’ll go!

To learn more and purchase tickets to Masterworks: Going Places, visit Sarasota Orchestra’s website or call the Box Office at 941-953-3434. All programs and featured artists are subject to change.

About the Author: Betsy Hudson Traba has performed with Sarasota Orchestra as Principal flutist since 1993.