(Bradenton, Fla., April 9, 2025) — The State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Performing Arts Department is thrilled to present the extraordinary Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th St. W., SCF Neel Performing Arts Center, Building 11 East.

The performance will feature the 60-member SCF Bradenton Orchestra conducted by Geoffrey Neuman, SCF director of instrumental studies, and an SCF alumni choir of more than 100 singers, chamber and concert choirs, and faculty and alumni soloists directed by Melodie Dickerson, SCF director of choral/vocal studies. Soloists include SCF Adjunct Voice Faculty Members Serenna Jones, soprano, and Jesse V. Martin, baritone, and SCF Music alumni and professional singers Nina Moroney, mezzo-soprano, and Fernando Vera, tenor.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 premiered on May 7, 1824 in Vienna, Austria. The fourth movement highlights the addition of four soloists and a choir with the orchestra to create an innovative, new art form. Beethoven was inspired by Friedrich Schiller’s poem, “An die Freude,” which calls for uniting mankind in harmony through the expression of music and service to the Creator. The symphony showcases powerful harmonies and beautiful melodies, including “Ode to Joy,” a beloved melody played and sung worldwide throughout time.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for SCF students and staff. To purchase tickets, visit SCF.edu/Neel, call 941-752-5252, or use the SCFMusic app. To learn more about the SCF Music Program, visit SCF.edu/PerformingArts.