Pack your passport in your picnic basket and join the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO) for a whirlwind tour of 11 countries, 5 continents, and beyond! From the Great Wall of China to a gypsy encampment to a hacienda and onward to the far reaches of the universe, the VSO’s music will transport you. The 2016 travelogue concludes with the 1812 Overture, marches, and the signature Summer Tour fireworks. Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking, and the concert starts at 7:30pm.

The VSO’s Wanderlust program with Anthony Princiotti conducting tours the world with Li Huanzshi’s Spring Festival Overture and Brahms’ Hungarian Dances. Add Holst’s “Mars” from The Planets and Strauss’s Au der Jagd Polka, Verdi’s “Triumphal March” from Aida, and Enesco’s Rumanian Rhapsody No. 1.

Following an intermission, you’ll hear “Can-Can” by Offenbach as well as Gould’s “Guaracha” and “Conga” from Latin American Symphonette and selections from Lord of the Dance by Hardiman and the Star Wars Medley by John Williams. To cap off the evening, the grand finale offers the signature 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky—with fireworks!

For those who are not familiar with the VSO, it’s a professional orchestra. About half of the musicians are from Vermont, while the rest come to play from all over New England and New York. The VSO is the oldest state-assisted orchestra in the United States.

Education and outreach have always been an important part of the VSO’s statewide mission. During the 2014–2015 season, SymphonyKids reached more than 23,000 students through 266 presentations, serving 151 schools in 113 towns. The VSO’s SymphonyKids educational outreach programs are funny, friendly, interactive—and performed by top-level musicians. SymphonyKids is one of the most extensive programs of its kind in the country, serving children of all ages through in-school presentations, youth concerts, and other initiatives.

The VSO’s vision is “to explore the delights of classical music with Vermont school children and to inspire them with a lifelong enthusiasm for music through a variety of high-quality, educational, and FUN programs.”

You can be part of the VSO Summer Festival Tour crew this summer and enjoy the show for free. The VSO seeks friendly volunteers to assist in the production of the Summer Festival Tour. All are welcome. Duties may include taking tickets, handing out programs, general security, and parking. These large-scale events can’t happen without help. If you’re interested, visit www.vso.org or call (800) VSO-9293 ext. 19.

The VSO’s Wanderlust program at Suicide Six in South Pomfret on July 1 starts at 7:30pm but the gates open at 5:30pm and final “day-of-performance” ticket sales, which are $35 for adults and $5 for ages 6–17. For tickets, go to pentanglearts.org/event/vso-2016/. Advance tickets are $32 for adults and free for kids 17 and under with adult ticket purchase.