Season Finale: From Wilmington to Infinity… and BEYOND!
Schumann Cello Concerto + Selections from The Planets
MAY 1
7:30 PM - Wilson Center @ CFCC
Join us on a journey through time, place and space: from Wilmington’s shores to the edge of the galaxy! This concert features gorgeous, glittering music by CFCC (Cape Fear Community College) Instructor Ernesto Ferreri and Pulitzer Prize winner (and NC resident) Jennifer Higdon, as well as a timeless audience favorite: Holst’s epic guide to the solar system. Also featuring Schumann’s lyrical, romantic Cello Concerto with the winner of the 2026 Sphinx Competition.
Peter Askim, Conductor
Andres Sanchez, Cello
Jennifer Higdon: Blue Cathedral
Ernesto Ferreri: hymnus ad cosmos
Robert Schumann: Cello Concerto with Andres Sanchez
Gustav Holst: Selections from The Planets
GUEST ARTIST
Andres Sanchez, Cello
Cellist Andres Sanchez-Linares, born in Allentown, PA, began his cello studies at the age of eight years old under the wing of former Puerto Rico Symphony cello principal Miguel Rojas. He continued his studies with cellist Jesús Morales, member of the Dali Quartet and former principal of the Puerto Rico Symphony. At ten years old, Andres made his solo debut at the Midwest Clinic of Chicago and the Ocean City Pops Orchestra. Three years later, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as soloist with the ArCoNet Chamber Orchestra and at age sixteen was accepted to the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with cellists Peter Wiley and Carter Brey. Following his graduation from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2020, he continued his studies at the New England Conservatory with Paul Katz.
In January 2026, Andres was named the First Prize Winner in the Senior Division of the National Sphinx Competition and, in 2025, was a Semifinalist in the Schoenfeld International Cello Competition. An avid chamber musician, Andres’s piano trio, the AYA Piano Trio, was awarded First Prize in the 2020 Yellow Springs Competition, First Prize in the 2018 WDAV Competition, and has been a Semifinalist in the Naumburg Foundation and the Chesapeake Chamber Music competitions.
Andres has made solo appearances with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Longwood Symphony, Kenneth Square Symphony, the Central Jersey Symphony, the Summit Symphony, Pennsylvania Sinfonia, and the Gabrieli Ensemble. As a member of the AYA Trio, he made his Beethoven Triple Concerto debut with the Waterbury Symphony and performed across the United States in esteemed chamber series such as Concerts International in Memphis, TN, the Schneider Concert series at the Mannes School of Music, the Brevard Music Center, Merkin Concert Hall, and Chamber Music Tulsa.
COMPOSERS
Jennifer Higdon
Jennifer Higdon is one of America’s most acclaimed and most frequently performed living composers. She is a major figure in contemporary Classical music, receiving the 2010 Pulitzer Prize in Music for her Violin Concerto, a 2010 Grammy for her Percussion Concerto, a 2018 Grammy for her Viola Concerto and a 2020 Grammy for her Harp Concerto. In 2018, Higdon received the Nemmers Prize from Northwestern University which is given to contemporary classical composers of exceptional achievement who have significantly influenced the field of composition. Most recently, the recording of Higdon's Percussion Concerto was inducted into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Higdon enjoys several hundred performances a year of her works, and blue cathedral is today’s most performed contemporary orchestral work, with more than 600 performances worldwide. Her works have been recorded on more than seventy CDs. Higdon’s first opera, Cold Mountain, won the prestigious International Opera Award for Best World Premiere and the opera recording was nominated for 2 Grammy awards. Her music is published exclusively by Lawdon Press.
Ernesto Ferreri
Ernesto Ferreri studied with Robert Ward at NC School of the Arts, then off to Manhattan School of Music and CUNY Flushing, studying with Henry Weinberg, receiving his Master of Arts in Musical Composition. His works have been played internationally, most recently in Gdansk, Poland (2024) and Greve, Italy (2025). In February of 2025 his music was presented at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in Manhattan. In December 2025 his Concertino for Violin and Strings was premiered with Adrian Sylveen on the Solo Violin.
His orchestral works include 2 Symphonies, several tone-poems and a song cycle. His chief chamber works include 6 string quartets, 3 string trios, 2 piano trios along with piano pieces and songs. Besides his classical training he has composed for TV, radio and media working with AnimEigo, Reed’s Jewelers and Bob King and Atlantic Coast Advertising producing commercial music. "I used to rock out on my Les Paul" as leader of Rock Ensemble at CFCC where he’s been teaching since 1993. While in NYC he took over the Grandmaster Flash’s studio space: "I still have part of the mic stand!" As he famously said to his students: "Rock ‘n’ Roll was my first love-- but I married classical music!"
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann (1810–1856) was a German composer, pianist, and influential music critic, and one of the leading figures of the Romantic era. He is especially known for his expressive piano music, songs (lieder), and orchestral works, which often reflect deep emotion and literary inspiration.
Born in Zwickau, Germany, Schumann initially studied law but soon devoted himself to music. He aspired to be a concert pianist, but a hand injury ended that path, leading him to focus on composition. In 1840, he married pianist Clara Wieck, who became both a major influence on his life and an important interpreter of his works.
Schumann composed in a wide range of genres, including piano works, symphonies, chamber music, and song cycles. Among his most beloved pieces are Carnaval, Kinderszenen, and Dichterliebe, which showcase his gift for lyrical melody and vivid character.
Despite periods of mental illness later in life, Schumann’s innovative and deeply personal music left a lasting impact on the Romantic movement. His work continues to inspire performers and audiences, securing his place as one of the most important composers of the 19th century.
Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst (1874–1934) was an English composer and music teacher, best known for his distinctive orchestration and imaginative musical style. A prominent figure in early 20th-century British music, he blended elements of English Romanticism with influences from composers such as Maurice Ravel and Igor Stravinsky.
Born in Cheltenham, England, Holst studied at the Royal College of Music and later held several teaching positions, including at St. Paul’s Girls’ School and Morley College in London. Teaching occupied much of his career, and he composed primarily in his spare time.
Holst’s most famous work, The Planets (1914–1916), is a seven-movement orchestral suite that remains a cornerstone of the repertoire. He also composed music for band, choir, and the stage, including his First Suite in E-flat and Second Suite in F for military band.
Admired for his originality and craftsmanship, Holst helped shape the sound of modern British music. His works continue to be widely performed, securing his legacy as one of England’s most important composers.
FAQ
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The Wilson Center Box Office (wilsoncentertickets.com)and Kenan Auditorium (uncwarts.universitytickets.com)are the only official ticketing providers for Wilmington Symphony Orchestra Concerts. Tickets purchased from resellers are often inflated in price and not eligible for event cancellations, rescheduling, or other changes. Buying directly from the Wilson Center is the only way to guarantee real tickets at the best price.
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Clapping is encouraged! Just not all the time or while the musicians are playing… It is customary to hold your applause until the very end of the piece. Many of the works you hear have multiple sections called movements (each movement is listed in your program.)
Not sure when the end of the piece is? Your best bet is to watch the conductor. Wait until they put their arms down and turn to face the audience. If their hands remain in front of them, they are waiting for the orchestra to be ready to continue the piece. If you’re still in doubt, you can always wait until the crowd begins to applaud.
But this isn’t a hard and fast rule! If you happen to be inspired by a particular movement and spontaneously break into clapping, it’s ok! Trust us—there are many more patrons in the hall with you that feel the same way. On top of that, the musicians love knowing that they moved you to applause!
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As an audience member you can wear whatever is comfortable for you. Some people might feel comfortable in jeans, but others might feel more comfortable in an evening gown or tux. A good guide might be your personal dress code for dinner with friends. Just got off work and don’t have time to change? Come as you are whether that be business casual, scrubs, or a suit - we just want you to be there! Want to show off your favorite formal dress on opening night? Wear it, all your fancy jewelry, and don’t forget your opera glasses.
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Please silence your cell phones, alarms, and other audible electronic devices before the concert begins.
But feel free to check-in and share a photo BEFORE AND AFTER THE CONCERT.
We love engaging with audience members on social media!
Just remember to not disturb your seat neighbors during the concert. Phone screens give off more light than you’d think in a darkened hall!
With all of this being said, perhaps there’s really only one rule: respect the people around you, relax, and enjoy some incredible music.
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We love it when our audience feels comfortable in the concert hall, but there are some things you should keep in mind in order to respect your fellow concert goers:
Eating, talking, and other careless noises are distracting to the musicians and to the audience. Concert hall acoustics can’t discriminate between orchestral sounds and the sound of a candy wrapper or dropped program. A good tip is to unwrap any cough drops, turn off your phone, and put your purse and coat under your chair before the concert starts.
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