AMES, Iowa -- Central Iowa Symphony will take patrons on a musical journey from the colder climes of Scandinavia to the warmth of Mediterranean when they present their 20th anniversary season finale May 4 in Ames.

The concert will be 7:30 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue.

"This program will wrap up our season of celebrations that honor the 20th year for our community orchestra as well as all the wonderful places that music can take us," said CIS music director and conductor James Hannon.

Hannon drew upon his two years teaching music and performing in Sweden to develop the May 4 program. The concert will feature music by two Swedish composers, Franz Berwald and Kurt Atterberg, both little known outside Scandinavia.

"To my knowledge, our performance of Atterberg's "Suite for Violin, Viola and String Orchestra" will be the first full performance in the United States," Hannon said. "I know it's the Iowa premiere."

Joining Hannon on viola will be guest soloist Eric Lawson, assistant professor of violin and orchestra director at University of North Dakota, Fargo. No stranger to central Iowa audiences, Lawson taught at Central College in Pella, conducted the special orchestra there, and was a member of the Des Moines Symphony. Hannon became acquainted with him this past year when Hannon became conductor of the Greater Grand Forks Symphony, where Lawson is concertmaster.

The orchestra also will perform "Memories of the Norwegian Mountains" by Franz Berwald, and accompany Lawson on the beautiful French "Poème" by Ernst Chausson.

The program will conclude with a rendition of Ottorino Respighi's "The Pines of Rome." The piece requires extra brass and is a perennial favorite, especially for brass players. It features a musical impression of pine trees, from those under which children play, to the haunting chants of those shading the catacombs. The last movement mimics the echoing march as legions of soldiers approach Rome on the tree-lined Apian Way, ending with a triumphant celebration of this ancient city's military strength.

Concert Conversations, an informal discussion of the evening's program with Maestro Hannon, will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Ames City Council Chambers.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and $5 for students of all ages (children 5 and under are free). They may be purchased at Reiman Music or Keepers Music in downtown Ames, via credit card by calling Ames City Auditorium, (515) 239-5360, or at the door.