The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will be expanding its statewide reach with a new home in Morgantown in the 2015-2016 season. A three-concert series will take place in the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

“The WVSO is so excited to be growing a presence in Morgantown. With a dedication to collaboration, the symphony looks forward to performing with local students and engaging with this amazing community,” said WVSO President Joe Tackett.

Opening the Morgantown series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, will be from From the New World. Distinguished pianist, William Wolfram will be performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto. The iconic Dvorak Symphony No. 9 (From the New World) and Capriccio Concertante by living composer Byron Adams will complete the program.

The WVSO will take Maestro Grant Cooper’s Home for the Holidays to spread the holiday spirit with the Morgantown community at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, tenor, will be a guest soloist with the orchestra. The WVSO is excited to also have the local Morgantown Children’s Chorus join the orchestra on stage for the performance. WVSO’s statewide commitment to education gives the children’s chorus the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra, and for the WVSO to directly impact local students with an enhanced educational musical experience. Part of the ZMM Architects and Engineers Pops series, this concert is sponsored by Monongalia General Hospital.

Closing out the series with Brahms Requiem at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4 will be an even bigger collaboration with the WVSO orchestra and the surrounding Morgantown community. The all Brahms program consists of the Haydn Variations and the Requiem. Soloists include soprano Amy Little and a special guest baritone, WVU’s College of Creative Arts Dean Paul Kreider. Also joining will be the WVU Chorus from the School of Music, and the Fairmont State University Chorus. This concert is sponsored by WVU Medicine.

Kreider said of the collaboration, “The College of Creative Arts and the School of Music are pleased to host the West Virginia Symphony for three concerts this season. This is a welcomed addition to the children’s concerts we have hosted. We are proud to share the WVSO’s outstanding programming with our audiences and know they will enjoy what they witness. This is a special season of WVSO concerts and I encourage all to attend and witness the final season of Maestro Grant Cooper conducting on WVSO’s classical series.”

Ticket prices are $27.50 and $45.00. Students and faculty from any school with school ID can receive free tickets and must be redeemed at the WVU Arts and Entertainment Box Office. Residents with a West Virginia Driver’s License will receive $10 off their ticket price but this offer must also be redeemed at the A&E Box Office. For tickets, please visit events.wvu.edu or call (304)293.SHOW. For more information on the concert program and series, please visit wvsymphony.org

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-�‐‑music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 76th 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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CONTACT: Shiva Shafii, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra
304-957-9887; sshafii@wvsymphony.org

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