Marche pour la Cérémonie des Turcs opens with ceremonial flair, followed by the Trombone Concerto by Grøndahl, featuring Evelyn Carlson, Principal Trombone of the Kansas City Symphony. The concerto shows off the full range of the instrument, from a warm, lyrical sound to quick, precise passages that highlight both control and clarity. The Suite from Petrushka (1947 version) closes the concert with its vivid carnival world, where puppets come to life and spectacle takes over. Audience members are invited to join the atmosphere with a masquerade, bringing the spirit of the program off the stage and into the hall.

At its core, this is a program about transformation. Music becomes character and story, moving from formal elegance to a more personal voice and then into full theatrical color. The trombone steps forward as a distinct voice within the orchestra, while Petrushka carries us into a busy fairground where things feel unpredictable and slightly off-balance. By the end of the evening, the line between audience and performer softens, and the experience becomes something shared and engaging.