Beethoven Meets Bluegrass with the THSO on May 2
The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra (THSO) invites audiences to experience a thrilling and unexpected musical journey with Beethoven & Bluegrass, a bold fusion of classical masterpieces and American-rooted rhythms, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Tilson Auditorium on the campus of Indiana State University.
The program bridges traditions and styles, opening with Clarice Assad’s Baião N’ Blues, a vibrant work infused with jazz, blues, and Brazilian influences. The centerpiece of the evening is Sheridan Seyfried’s Double Concerto for Two Violins, a genre-bending work inspired by bluegrass and Appalachian fiddle traditions, featuring internationally acclaimed violinists Nikki Chooi and Timothy Chooi as soloists. The concert concludes with one of the most exhilarating symphonic works ever written, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, celebrating rhythm, vitality, and the timeless power of orchestral music.
Nikki Chooi (left) and Timothy Chooi (right)
“This program is about connection,” said Dr. Roger Kalia, Music Director of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. “It brings together Beethoven’s universal musical language with contemporary works that draw from folk, blues, and bluegrass traditions, showing how vibrant and relevant orchestral music can be for today’s audiences.”
Nikki Chooi is an internationally acclaimed violinist celebrated for his powerful, poetic performances and charismatic stage presence. A laureate of the Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition and the International Tchaikovsky Competition, Chooi has also earned top prizes at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, the Klein International String Competition, and the Montreal Symphony’s Manulife Competition. He currently serves as Concertmaster of the Grammy Award–winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He has been praised by critics for his warm tone, electrifying virtuosity, and stylistic versatility—ranging seamlessly from soaring lyricism to passages inspired by jazz and country fiddling.
Timothy Chooi is internationally recognized for his expressive depth, technical brilliance, and dynamic performances, having appeared with leading orchestras and at major concert halls across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Widely praised for combining “flawless technique and heartfelt expression,” he is equally respected as a cultural leader dedicated to reshaping the role of classical music through education, community engagement, and digital outreach. Chooi’s creative work and research exploring equity, diversity, and inclusion in the performing arts have earned international recognition, including the University of Ottawa’s EDI in Research Award, reflecting his commitment to music as a vehicle for connection, dialogue, and social impact.
This concert is proudly sponsored by the Terre Haute Symphony Association Board of Directors, Riddell National Bank, Bob Cowden in memory of Corinne Cowden, David & Donna Bowden in honor of their daughters Kirsten and Kristi, John & Jane Morse, and Steve & Debbie Benefiel.
Supper at the Symphony
Make it a date night with a concert and Supper at the Symphony! Come to the concert early and enjoy a delectable three-course meal served in the McKee Family Heritage Ballroom of Tirey Hall, right down the hall from Tilson Auditorium. The cash bar opens at 5:00pm, and dinner is served promptly at 5:30pm. Dinner reservations are $30 per person. Patrons will enjoy a Caesar salad to start and choose one entrée of either Chicken Bruschetta, Salmon with Dill Sauce, or Creamy Pasta Primavera. Chicken and Salmon entrees are served with Roasted Rosemary Potatoes and Green Bean Almandine. Strawberry Shortcake Parfait with Pound Cake Layers will be served for dessert. Reservations can be made at www.thso.org or by calling the THSO office at (812) 242-8476. Reservations close at 12pm on Tuesday, April 28.
Concert Conversations
Music Director Roger Kalia hosts Concert Conversations.
Join Music Director Roger Kalia as he talks about the repertoire performed on this concert and interviews soloists Nikki and Timothy Chooi during Concert Conversations in the McKee Family Heritage Ballroom in Tirey Hall on the campus of Indiana State University before the concert at 6:40pm. FREE to all concert ticket holders!
Concert Tickets
Patrons can purchase concert tickets by visiting www.thso.org or calling the Hulman Center at (812) 237-3737. Ticket prices for adults are $22, $52, and $67. Student and youth tickets are $8, $14, and $18. Prices already include facility and venue fees.
Accessible Entrance
An elevator is available for patrons who need accessible entry at the rear of Tirey Hall. Patrons can be dropped off behind Tirey Hall in the alley between Fairbanks and Tilson for direct access to the elevator or enter through the ground level at the front of Tilson Auditorium via the downstairs lobby. Signage will be posted at the venue with directions to the elevator.
Parking
Patrons may park in the Indiana State University Parking garage located at 750 Cherry Street for free between 4 PM and 11 PM on the day of the concert. This parking garage is located across the street from Tilson Auditorium.
This concert is made possible in part by Arts Illiana, the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.