Samuel Barber’s (1910-1981) Overture to “The School for Scandal” was his prize-winning graduation thesis from the Curtis Institute in 1932. It reflects the comedic spirit of Richard Sheridan’s 1777 play of that name. Barber’s Symphony No. 1 is based on three themes, the 1st a bit self-questioning, the 2nd quietly declamatory, the 3rd conveying resignation. His Adagio for Strings, beautiful, elegiac and haunting, is his most popular work. Buckaroo Holiday by Aaron Copland (1900-1990) opens the ballet “Rodeo” with a grand fanfare followed by the quiet Cowgirl’s theme, followed by the Rodeo theme evoking trotting horses. Hoe-Down uses the folk tune “Bonaparte’s Retreat” to set the dancers into high-spirited, joyous motion. Copland incorporated familiar Western tunes in his score for “Billy the Kid.”