Symphony at Sea
October 2, 2026 | 7:30PM
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
Set sail on a musical voyage that explores the sea through some of the most evocative works in the orchestral repertoire. From Handel’s regal Water Music and Korngold’s swashbuckling score from The Sea Hawk to the timeless romance of Titanic and Debussy’s breathtaking masterpiece La Mer, each work captures a different mood, memory, and adventure inspired by the water. The evening also features 2026 Youth Artists Solo Competition winner Brandon Gajek, performing the thrilling first movement of Kabalevsky’s Cello Concerto No. 1, showcasing one of today’s outstanding young musicians alongside the orchestra.
Program
- Reinhold Glière: Russian Sailor’s Dance from The Red Poppy
- George Frideric Handel: Alla Hornpipe from Water Music
- Benjamin Britten: Moonlight Interlude from Peter Grimes
- Erich Wolfgang Korngold: The Sea Hawk
- James Horner: Titanic Medley
- Dmitri Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 49 (First Movement)
- Brandon Gajek, cello
- 2026 Youth Artists Solo Competition Winner
Intermission
- Claude Debussy: La Mer
Presented by
Dearborn Orchestral Society Endowment Fund
About the Featured Artist
Brandon’s remarkable achievement is the culmination of six years of dedicated cello study, characterized by mentorship from some of the region’s finest pedagogues. He currently studies under Dr. Amir Eldan, Professor of Cello at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance, having previously refined his craft with Dr. Melissa Kraut, Wei Yu, Abraham Feder, and Samantha Farmer. Beyond private instruction, Brandon’s musical development spans major regional and national training grounds. He was a member of the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra starting in 2023 under the baton of Na’Zir McFadden, served as the principal cellist of the Michigan All-State Orchestra in 2025, and has spent his summers training at top-tier institutions, including the Interlochen Arts Camp, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, the Bowdoin International Music Festival, and the prestigious Meadowmount School of Music in the summer of 2026.
In addition to his orchestral and solo accolades, Brandon has earned a stellar reputation as a decorated honors student and an active chamber musician. The Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) has repeatedly recognized his talents, nominating him for the Outstanding Soloist award in both 2024 and 2025, alongside granting him an outstanding ensemble award for a demanding performance of Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello. Brandon also channels his artistic collaborative spirit into the Trouville Quartet, an ensemble currently dedicated to exploring the rich string quartet literature of Felix Mendelssohn and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Before You Attend
- Performance begins at 7:30 PM
- Michael A. Guido Theater, Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI 48126
- Learn about parking on our Venue Information page
- Subscriptions and individual concert tickets can be purchased from our website or through the Symphony office by calling 313.565.2424. Individual tickets may also be purchased from the Theater Box Office at 313.943.2354 or visit dearborntheater.com
- Accessibility: The Ford Community & Performing Arts Center is fully accessible, with accessible seating, restrooms, and parking available. A convenient circle drive at the main entrance provides easy passenger drop-off and pick-up. If you have questions about accessibility or would like assistance planning your visit, please contact the Theater Box Office before your performance.
