Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra performs 'Cowboys and Canyons' on Saturday

MEREDITH — The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra continues its 50th anniversary season with "Cowboys and Canyons" on Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith. Guided by conductor Ben Greene, this dynamic concert captures the spirit of the American West through an orchestral journey that ranges from cinematic sweep to rhythmic exuberance.

Featured in this program is violinist Margaret Hopkins, concertmaster of the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, as soloist in Mark O’Connor’s Fiddle Concerto. This work blends virtuosic classical technique with the energetic drive of American folk and fiddle traditions, offering audiences a thrilling showcase of rhythmic vitality and expressive nuance. Margaret has appeared in concert throughout Europe, Israel, Canada, and across the United States. An accomplished educator and arts leader, she serves on the faculty of the Portland Conservatory of Music and performs regularly with chamber ensembles throughout New England.

The evening also highlights John Williams’s spirited "The Cowboys Overture," a rousing opener with bold orchestral colors; Ferde Grofé’s sweeping "Grand Canyon Suite," a work renowned for its evocative landscapes and expansive sonorities; and the irresistible "Hoedown" from Aaron Copland’s Rodeo, a kinetic finale that brings audiences to their feet. Together, these works celebrate American musical imagination with both sophistication and verve.

Looking ahead, LRSO will close its 2025-26 season with "Mixtape: Hits of the ’60s and ’70s" on Saturday, May 9 at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia and Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. at Inter-Lakes Auditorium. Featuring guest vocalists Taylor O’Donnell and Adrian Sicam, this upbeat program reimagines beloved pop classics — from soulful Motown to sing-along pop favorites — with full symphonic sound.

Tickets for both the March and May concerts are on sale now at LRSO.org.