FAIRMONT, MORGANTOWN CONCERTS OF RAVEL, STRAVINSKY, MOZART

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (April 18, 2017) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) is taking its spring symphonic concert on the road to Fairmont on April 27 and to Morgantown on April 28.

Under the direction of Maestro Grant Cooper, the WVSO will perform Ravel’s Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose Suite) which is Ravel’s musical depiction of some of the most beloved fairy tales, including Beauty and the Beast and Tom Thumb. The music will take a light-hearted turn with Stravinsky’s suite from the ballet Pulcinella, which was inspired by music attributed to 18th century Italian composer Giovanni Pergolesi. The concert will conclude with Mozart’s Symphony No. 36 in C major “Linz,” a charming symphony that Mozart wrote in four days while staying in the city of Linz, halfway between his birthplace of Salzburg and Vienna.

“We are proud to once again bring great music to these Mountain State communities,” said WVSO President Joe Tackett. “The WSVO truly is West Virginia’s state orchestra.” 

Both concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are made possible through generous support from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, National Endowment for the Arts, Bernard H. & Blanche E. Jacobson Foundation, Daywood Foundation, First Energy Foundation and Herscher Foundation. Additional sponsors for the Morgantown concert include the Capitol Conference Center; Dinsmore; DiTrapano, Barrett, DiPiero, McGinley, & Simmons; Jackson Kelly; Steptoe & Johnson; and Webb Law Centre.

Ticketing Information

Fairmont State University: Performance in Colebank Hall. Reserved seating $30, general admission $20, and student tickets $5, which can be purchased by visiting the Fairmont State University box office on the 4th floor of Wallman Hall, by calling 304.367.4240, or at Colebank Hall the night of the performance beginning at 6 p.m.          

West Virginia University: Performance in the WVU Creative Arts Center, 1 Fine Arts Drive; tickets: $25. Students/faculty get in free with college ID. West Virginia residents get $10 off with a driver's license. Tickets can be purchased by visiting wvsymphony.org  or by calling 304.293.SHOW.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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THE SEARCH CONTINUES: LAWRENCE LOH APRIL 3-8

Lawrence's Schedule

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (March 21,2017) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) continues its search for a new music director with conducting candidate Lawrence Loh performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston.

Loh will lead the orchestra in Samuel Barber’s First Essay for Orchestra and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Grammy-winning classical guitarist Jason Vieaux, described by NPR as “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” will perform Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Roberto  Sierra’s Folias Concerto with the orchestra.

“We are happy to welcome Lawrence to Charleston,” said WVSO President Joe Tackett. “The program he has selected is going to be a great introduction to the WVSO family and the entire community, and we trust that he will be as amazed by our orchestra as the other candidates have been.”

Loh, who is the music director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, is one of six candidates vying to replace retiring Maestro Grant Cooper, who has led the WVSO since 2001.

Tickets for the April 8 performance begin at $10 and can be purchased by visiting wvsymphony.org or by calling the Clay Center Box Office at 304.561.3570. $10 “Tweet Seats” are available in the second balcony where the audience is encouraged to share their concert experience with the WVSO via social media.

Loh is the inaugural music director of Symphoria, which was founded by former members of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and artistic director and principal conductor of the Syracuse Opera. In 2015, he concluded a decade-long association with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where he was promoted from assistant to associate and later resident conductor.

Off the podium, Loh is an arts leader and music advocate. He created a successful Apprentice Conductor Program at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic in 2012, designed to help identify and train the next generation of conductors. He also was active in Pittsburgh’s Community Engagement Concerts, extending its reach into other communities. In 2015 Loh led the groundbreaking Sensory Friendly concert designed for people with sensory sensitivities, including individuals on the autism spectrum.

Loh will be fully immersed in Charleston during his stay the week before the concert, with many free and open-to-the-public opportunities for the community to engage and interact with him. He will meet with different constituencies, including musicians, board, staff, the West Virginia Symphony Chorus, the West Virginia Youth Symphony, Kanawha County String Education programs, media, Rotarian groups, and more. For public opportunities to meet Loh, please visit wvsymphony.org for the full week’s schedule.       

This concert is part of the Capitol Conference Center Symphonic Series and is sponsored by Dinsmore, DiTrapano Barret DiPiero McGinley & Simmons, PLLC, Webb Law Centre, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, and Jackson Kelly PLLC. Sponsors for the conductor’s search are BrickStreet Insurance, Appalachian Power, FHL Bank of Pittsburgh, the Bernard H. and Blanche E. Jacobson Foundation and the BB&T West Virginia Foundation.

The WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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LAWRENCE LOH SCHEDULE
April 3-8, 2017

Monday, April 3

4 – 6 p.m. | Lattes with Larry – Conducting Candidate Lawrence Loh will serve as a guest barista at Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St., Charleston. This event is open to the public.

7 – 7:30 p.m. | West Virginia Youth Symphony Rehearsal visit – Horace Mann Middle School

8 – 8:30 p.m. | West Virginia Symphony Chorus Rehearsal visit – Christ United Methodist Church

Tuesday, April 4

9:30 – 11 a.m. | Kanawha County String Education program visit (contact for exact time and location)

Wednesday, April 5

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. | Vandalia Rotary Presentation, Embassy Suites, Charleston

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. | Edgewood Summit Presentation, Baker Lane, Charleston

Thursday, April 6

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Baton, Bites, and Insights –  Clay Center stage (bring-your-lunch lecture; free & open to the public)

7 – 9:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center

Friday, April 7

4 – 6:30 p.m.   | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center

8 – 10:30 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center

Saturday, April 8

10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | WVSO Open Rehearsal – Clay Center

6:30 – 7 p.m. | Pre-Concert Talk – Clay Center stage

7:30 – 10 p.m. |Symphonic 5 Concert – Clay Center 

2017 BIG AWESOME SYMPHONY SUPPORT RAFFLE

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (March 13, 2017) – The West Virginia Symphony League (WVSL) and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) invite you to help bring the transformational power of music to all West Virginians with a one-in-800 chance to win $10,000.

Only 800 tickets are being sold for the 2017 Big Awesome Symphony Support Raffle, which is being facilitated by volunteers at Arnett Carbis Toothman LLP CPAs & Advisors in Charleston.

Besides the chance to win the grand prize of $10,000, ticket holders are eligible to win 25 other prizes, including a $500 cash prize; two tickets to the WVSO’s Grand Series subscription, which includes admission to six symphonic performances and four pops concerts; and gift cards to Charleston-area restaurants, salons, and fitness clubs valued at $100 or more.

Tickets can be purchased for $100 each at the WVSO office, 110 Wyoming St., in Charleston, by phone at 304.957.9879 or from members of the WVSO Board of Directors and the WVSL.

Winners will be drawn on Wednesday, March 29, at the Charleston Town Center Marriott. All ticket holders are invited to enjoy complimentary drinks and hors d’oeuvres at the Marriott beginning at 5 p.m. on the day of the drawing. You do not have to be present to win.

The WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 78th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and nationally award-winning education programs that reach more than 26,000 students and teachers each year.

For more information, visit our website at www.wvsymphony.org and follow the WVSO on Facebook and Twitter! #wvsymphony

Contact: Pamela Murchison 

Vice President of Development 

pmurchison@wvsymphony.org | 304.957.9879

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