Oct. 16, 1942, was the premiere of the ballet, "Rodeo," by Aaron Copland at the Metropolitan Opera House with dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, a dance company that moved to the United States during World War II.

Ms. de Mille received 22 curtain calls for her performance of the "Cowgirl" and Copland's music became a staple of the repertoire. "Hoe-Down" from "Rodeo" was originally inspired and based upon a fiddle version of an American folk song, "Bonyparte," better known as "Bonaparte's Retreat." Later, this music became well-known and famous as the music for the "Beef - It's what's for dinner" television commercial. Mostly however, we're performing the piece on its 70th-anniversary year because it is just good, fun music.

At 8 p.m. Nov. 10 and 3 p.m. Nov. 11, in Symphony Hall, Allentown, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra celebrates our American heritage with concerts of folk melodies, fiddling tunes and jazz-inspired pieces by some of the best composers in our history: Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. Each of these men captured something special in their music and they created an "Americana" sound. Pieces like Bernstein's Overture to "Candide," Gershwin's "American in Paris" and Copland's "Four Dances from Rodeo" are all classics of the last century that we will perform. Country fiddle champion and composer, Mark O'Connor, continues that tradition by combining folk tunes, fiddle melodies and jazz rifts in his new

Almost every child who is classically-trained on the violin wants to learn how to fiddle. When I was growing up, I learned the "Orange Blossom Special" and played it at many parties and social events. Mark O'Connor was just 13 when he won the National Grand Master Fiddler Championship, competing against all ages. That is why I think he is such a wonderful role model for our young people.

Speaking of young people, at 2 p.m. Nov. 11, prior to the Allentown Symphony concert, we will feature a short performance by the Young Musician's String Festival. This is a string orchestra of about 70 young students, ages 7 - 13, from the Lehigh Valley. They will perform fiddle tunes, including "Bonyparte" from Mark O'Connor's new fiddle methods books, which are now available for young students, as well as an arrangement of Copland's "Hoe-Down" from "Rodeo."

In our set of concerts, Mark O'Connor will be joined for his "Double Concerto" by violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins. Kelly is first violinist for the new O'Connor String Quartet. She is a well-respected soloist and a member of the New Jersey Symphony. They will both be arriving in the Lehigh Valley early in the week to participant in a wonderful partnership with the Young People's Philharmonic and the Junior String Philharmonic. This youth orchestra program was founded in 1979 by Bethlehem residents Jerry and Nancy Bidlack. For years, they have been serving the youth of the Lehigh Valley in a way that is meaningful and life-changing.

During the school day, Nov. 7 and 8, Mark O'Connor and Kelly Hall-Tompkins will be soloists with Young People's Philharmonic, conducted by Jerry Bidlack, and the Junior String Philharmonic, conducted by Kenneth Bean, in a series of school concerts and master classes at Emmaus High School, Northeast Middle School, Broughal Middle School and Willow Lane Elementary School.

The goal of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is to enrich the lives of the residents of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. It is through residencies, partnerships and concerts like those we are doing with Mark O'Connor and Kelly Hall-Tompkins that we can fulfill our mission. We hope to see you at one of the concerts.

Diane Wittry is Music Director and Conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director (U.S.A.) of the International Cultural Exchange Program with the Sarajevo Philharmonic, Bosnia.

Ticket information for concerts at Allentown Symphony Hall: Box Office, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; 610-432-6715, AllentownSymphony.org