For more than 25 years, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra has called the Naugatuck Valley its “home-away-from-home,” playing concerts in Shelton, Derby, and Ansonia for decades. Central to this tradition was the NHSO’s Shelton Pops Series, now renamed LIVE from the Valley, a concert series celebrating the Naugatuck Valley’s values of family, community, and creativity. The series’ inaugural concert, Rhapsody in Bluegrass, will takes place Sunday, October 19 at 3:00pm at Shelton Intermediate School and will feature award-winning Connecticut bluegrass band On The Trail teamed up with an NHSO string quartet.
The 2025-26 LIVE from the Valley Concert Series will include three programs designed for families, music lovers, and curious newcomers alike:
- Rhapsody in Bluegrass with On The Trail – Sunday, October 19 at 3:00 p.m. at Shelton Intermediate School
- Holiday Extravaganza with Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II and NHSO High School Carolers from Shelton, West Haven, and New Haven – Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 p.m. at Shelton High School
- A Galaxy Far, Far Away with Music Director Perry So – Saturday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. at Shelton High School
The NHSO will also host free community events throughout the season, including Free Family Concerts at Shelton’s Plumb Memorial Library, Ansonia Public Library and Derby Public Library, where children can listen, learn, and play during interactive performances by NHSO musicians and guest artists. The Family Concert schedule will be announced later this year.
NHSO Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea Tipton, II shares: “The Valley has been our home-away-from-home for over 25 years. It is a joy to perform in the Valley because of the community; neighbors and friends who care deeply about sharing in experiences like live music together. We can’t wait to see you at the Symphony this year!”
Rhapsody in Bluegrass: A Foot-Stomping Kickoff
Blending bluegrass tradition with contemporary pop, soulful originals, and dazzling instrumentals, On The Trail’s concerts are equal parts energy, storytelling, and virtuosity. Their collaboration with the NHSO in Rhapsody in Bluegrass on October 19 will showcase the full range of their artistry, blending classical sounds with foot-stomping fiddle, banjo, guitar, and vocals. A quartet of NHSO musicians will enhance the performance, whose program will include tunes like Tennessee Waltz, Gospel Plow, Butterfly’s Day Out, Ashokan Farewell, Bluegrass Fiddle Frenzy, and more.
On The Trail was born at Western Connecticut State University, where members bonded over their love of bluegrass. The group has gone on to win the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Band Competition, perform as Emerging Artists at the 2023 Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and release their acclaimed debut album Where Do We Go From Here. On The Trail features Austin Scelzo (fiddle and vocals), Tom Polizzi (mandolin and vocals), Charlie Widmer (guitar and vocals) and Matt Curley (upright bass and vocals).
“This band is Connecticut born and raised, and we feel honored to be sharing Bluegrass music with the NHSO community,” says On The Trail guitarist and vocalist Charlie Widmer. “This will be my fifth performance with the NHSO, something I do not take lightly. Every time has been a dream, from classical to musical theater to jazz – but to do it with my best friends and some of the most talented players I’ve ever known? This will certainly be a show we’ll never forget.”
Tickets range from $15 – $49; youth under 18 are free with the purchase of an adult ticket. To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 693-1486.
LIVE from the Valley is sponsored by the Valley Community Foundation, Aquarion, WSHU Public Radio, and Frontier.
