Rochester Philharmonic Goes “Spectacular” for Eclipse

In Monday’s WHEC News (Rochester, NY), Brad Vetter reports, “Thousands of people gathered at Blue Cross Arena for the RPO Eclipse Spectacular ahead of the total solar eclipse on Monday. Amy Vilcins and her family were among the crowd waiting to get into see Sunday night’s show. ‘We love the RPO and are excited for the eclipse. It’s doing such great things for Rochester, to have such a once-in-a-lifetime event here,’ Vilcins said…. RPO Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman said that he was glad to be leading the symphony during part of Sunday’s show. ‘There’s a little bit of everything from the RPO, to aerial acrobats from Troop Vertigo. Push Physical Theatre is involved. There’s a chorus. There’s a gospel choir. There’s a little bit of everything. Lasers. Lights. You name it,’ Hardeman said. Hardeman said that that Sunday’s show is proof that, like the eclipse, music brings people together. ‘If you think about it, everything about music forces you to come together. Number one, you have a bunch of musicians who obviously have to come together to present the music. Then, you have to listen…. When you come to a concert, you’re listening to someone else’s perspective on the world.’ ”