Hickory – The Symphony is pleased to announce their 53rd season. Under the baton of Maestro John Gordon Ross, the award-winning Western Piedmont Symphony will perform many of your classical favorites.

For example, George Gerswhin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Freddie Mercury’s Bohemian Rhapsody, and the beautiful Ode to Joy, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

The 53rd season is also bittersweet.  Maestro Ross will be retiring from WPS after 27 years of musical direction.  It is fitting that Ode to Joy was performed in 1991, his first season, and will again be performed in his last Masterworks performance with the WPS orchestra.  This upcoming season has been dedicated to Maestro Ross to honor him for his outstanding dedication to WPS and surrounding regions.  There will be many events throughout the season to pay tribute to the many accomplishments of Maestro Ross.

john-gordon-rossMASTERWORKS SERIES

October 7, 2017    Masterworks I:  featuring Michael Lewin, Piano

November 4, 2017    Masterworks II:  featuring the Western Piedmont Symphony

February 3, 2018    Masterworks III:  featuring Gregory Knight, Piano

March 3, 2018        Masterworks IV:  featuring Dmitri Pogorelov, Violin

April 14, 2018        Masterworks V:  featuring Hickory Choral Society, Lenoir Rhyne A Cappella Choir and the CVCC Chamber Singers

Masterworks I, III, IV & V are held at P.E. Monroe Auditorium on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University beginning at 7:30 pm.  The first Masterworks II performance, a family concert, will be held at 3 pm in the Drendel Auditorium. The main performance will begin at 7:30 pm.

In their third year of residency, we welcome back the Tesla Quartet. The Friends of the Quartet Chamber Classics concerts are held in the Drendel Auditorium beginning at 7:30 pm.  Mark your calendars for these dates:

CHAMBER CLASSICS CONCERTS

Chamber Classics I        September 30, 2017

Chamber Classics II        January 20, 2018

Chamber Classics III        February 17, 2018

Chamber Classics IV        March 31, 2018

The Tesla Quartet will also perform in the popular Soup, Salad & Strings luncheon series on September 22, 2017 and April 6, 2018 at 11:45 am in the Keiser Community Room.

Season and individual tickets are available now.  Save time and money with a season subscription. All subscription and single tickets can be purchased online at WPSymphony.org/tickets or contact the symphony box office at 828.324.8603 from 10am-2pm, M-F.

The Western Piedmont Symphony is a grant recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council and a funded affiliate of the United Arts Council of Catawba County.  Business offices are located on the SALT Block at 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory.  Box office hours are 10:00 am until 2:00 pm Monday-Friday.

Maestro John Gordon Ross

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