The annual Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra summer outdoor concert, Summer Sparklers, is all about the community.
Bring a lawn chair, a picnic and your friends while enjoying the 55 piece symphony orchestra at St. Clair Park, Sunday July 2nd at 7pm. From Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean movie music to patriotic favorites including their salute to the Armed Forces, the Summer Sparkers Concert directed by Daniel Meyer is perfect for all ages. For over 10 years, the Summer Sparklers concert is traditionally, attendance wise the largest of their season.
“Our summer concert is all about reaching people at their level, the program is a lot of popular or classical musical that the audience will remember. It’s a vehicle for things that are good in our area,” said WSO Executive Director Endicott Reindl. “This concert gets people excited that this type of music isn’t dead, it’s relevant. It’s a gem that we have right in our community.”
WSO started as a community orchestra, and has since grown into a regional professional orchestra but have always recognized and known the importance of community roots. Over their 49 years, they have touched thousands of lives through music and have reached many areas where live or orchestral music doesn’t touch.
“WSO was formed and exists solely because of this community,” said Reindl. “So how do we continue to stick to and grow our roots. How do we increase our community outreach to impact more areas and people. Theres one thing to be known as a gem or secret but why are we a secret we can have such a positive impact on lives. Above everything, politics, race, gender, there’s that one big unifier, music.”
The WSO strives to connect with the community it a meaning full way and are excited about showing the diversity of orchestral music while partnering with local, national and international artists to bring unique shows to Greensburg. Their Home for the Holidays show, filled with carols and holiday favorites on December 16 is another show perfect for the whole family. Quartets from local high schools come together to form an All Star Choir that performs with WSO during the show.
On Sunday, WSO will be hosting a raffle an accepting donations during the 115 minute concert and hey have partnered with Scott Ludwick to pass out American Flags for the Fourth of July weekend. Summer Sparklers is helped funded by the Allegheny Foundation, the Jack Buncher Foundation and Westmoreland County Parks and Rec.
Program:
Smith: The Star Spangled Banner
Verdi: Overture to Nabucco
Smetana: The Moldau from Ma Vlast
Williams Selections from Star Wars
Rodgers arr. Bennett: Selections from The King & I
Arr. Ricketts: Pirates of the Caribbean
Arr. Lowden: Armed Forces Salute
Arr. Hermann: George M. Cohan Salute
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever
*subject to change
