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“Homegrown” is the fruit of Washington County’s musical roots. The concert, featuring dozens of local performers, is set for February 12 at Trinity High School in Washington, PA.

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When looking for a way to mark the Washington Symphony Orchestra’s 15th anniversary season, the Washington Symphony Orchestra Artistic Committee decided to “stay home.” With so much talent right in our backyard, it was easy to fill an entire concert with performers and music with local ties. Actually, the challenge was fitting it all in.

Breaking from tradition this year, the WSO’s February concert, “Homegrown,” will be held on a Sunday afternoon, February 12 at 3 p.m. instead of the usual Saturday evening offering.

One of the ways the WSO will mark its anniversary at this concert is by having Dave Owens, the WSO’s first conductor, lead the orchestra in “Appalachian Folk Song Suite.”

Local acts to be featured include Dan Baker and the Washington Jazz Society, the Washington Community Theatre, and the Mon Valley Push Polka Band.

Kyle Simpson, who has played with the WSO several times throughout the years wrote a special arrangement of Henry Mancini’s “Moon River,” and will play the trumpet solo for it. Simpson also composed another “Homegrown” piece, “Journey into Wissamaking” originally debuted by the WSO in 2010.

Another encore performance will be that of “Journey Beyond Earth.” The short film, a collaboration by two local artists, filmmaker Ron Hankison and composer Dominic Carrola, shows images from outer space set to a score played by the WSO.

The Faith-Filled Singers is a large choir that is being gathered together for the first time to perform for “Homegrown.” Members come from 10 different Washington County Churches. They include: Jefferson Avenue United Methodist Church, New Hope Church, Nazareth Baptist Church, Church of the Covenant, First Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church, Saint Patrick's Church, Immaculate Conception Church, First United Methodist Church, and Center Presbyterian Church.

Keeping with the “Homegrown” theme, the concert will also feature 11 talented musicians from three Washington County high schools, playing wind, brass, string and percussion instruments side-by-side with our orchestra members. Also representing our local schools will be the Trinity High School Chamber Choir and Peters Township’s Rowdy Rhythm. The latter is an acapella group known for its creative renditions of popular music.

A longtime supporter of the WSO, Washington Financial has stepped up to be the presenting sponsor of “Homegrown.”

As pre-concert programming, at 2:15 p.m. Max Gonano and Judith Sutton will present a short video and talk about Pittsburgh legend Henry Mancini’s life and music.

Tickets for “Homegrown” start at $17 and can be purchased online at washsym.org, by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS, or at the following locations: Citizens Library, the Peters Township Public Library, and the WSO Office at 11 South College Street in Washington (WSO Office by appointment only).

For further information about the symphony, visit www.washsym.org or connect with the WSO on Facebook (facebook.com/washsymphony) and Twitter (twitter.com/washsymphony).

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