Hickory – Western Piedmont Symphony (WPS), the professional orchestra of the western foothills of North Carolina, presents MASTERWORKS: ITALIAN INSPIRATIONS on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at P.E. Monroe Auditorium on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. This enchanting Masterworks concert invites audiences to experience the beauty, passion, and brilliance of Italy through music inspired by its art, culture, and romance.
Join Music Director Matthew Troy and the Western Piedmont Symphony for an evening that begins with Arvo Pärt’s imaginative If Bach had Been a Beekeeper and the timeless serenity of Bach’s Air on the G String. The concert continues with sparkling Baroque charm in Sammartini’s Recorder Concerto arranged for trumpet and Haydn’s classical gem Trumpet Concerto, both featuring internationally acclaimed trumpet soloist Ashley Hall-Tighe. The evening concludes with Mendelssohn’s sun-soaked Symphony No. 4, “Italian.”
“Italian Inspirations celebrates centuries of musical brilliance and Italy’s radiant artistic spirit. This concert invites our audience on a journey through these elegant and artistic contributions and highlights how this spirit lives on today,” noted WPS music director Matthew Troy. “From Bach’s graceful lyricism and Pärt’s modern reflection to Mendelssohn’s sun-soaked symphony of joy, plus two concertos performed by world-renowned trumpet soloist Ashley Hall-Tighe, I know all will enjoy this unique and memorable program.”
Featured Artist Ashley Hall-Tighe is an internationally recognized trumpeter celebrated for her warm tone, expressive artistry, and dynamic performances on stages from the Sydney Opera House to Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. A former touring member of Canadian Brass, she is in demand worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician, musician life coach, and educator.
During her residency with WPS, Hall-Tighe will lead an inspiring interactive workshop exploring creativity, resilience, and joy. Beyond the Instrument offers practical tools for navigating performance anxiety, quieting self-doubt, embracing authenticity, and rekindling the spark that fuels all creative lives – open to everyone, not just musicians!
MASTERWORKS tickets are $20–$58 for adults. Student tickets are $10 with a valid ID. Students can purchase $10 tickets in sections A and B only when accompanied by an adult who also buys a ticket in the same section. To purchase tickets, visit wpsymphony.org, call 828.324.8603, or stop by the Western Piedmont Symphony Box Office located on the SALT Block at 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601. The Box Office is open Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. P.E. Monroe Auditorium, where MASTERWORKS concerts are held, is located at 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601.
