- Last Updated on Thursday, 01 May 2014 00:53
The Washington Symphony Orchestra season finale on Saturday, May 3 at Trinity High School will take its audience back to the movies – from the days of silent film with Charlie Chaplin music to the thrillers of James Bond 007. Typically the WSO concerts begin at 8, but with the extra Charlie Chaplin feature, there will be a "pre-concert" concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Seating will start at 7:15 p.m.
Tom Roberts, Pittsburgh musician, composer and arranger, is one of the world's most prominent jazz pianists having performed on various televisions shows from "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson to scoring films such as Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator." Roberts has performed at the major jazz venues in Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Harlem and Europe. His latest works include the special arrangements for orchestra of Charlie Chaplin's movie music for Chaplin's upcoming 100th anniversary. "The Pawn Shop" is one of the works Roberts has arranged, which he will play to begin the WSO pre-concert at 7:30 p.m. WSO Music Director and Conductor Yugo Ikach will join Roberts to have an interactive time with the audience. Then at 8, the full orchestra takes the stage.
The season finale offers everything from "Chariots of Fire," "Indiana Jones," "How to Train Your Dragon" to James Bond movie music arranged by Pittsburgh's Ralph Guzzi. Special guest vocalist Rosanna Paterra will perform solo and in duet with Ikach on the Bond movies' music. Paterra, from Upper St. Clair, graduated from Seton La Salle Catholic High School and California University of PA with an art education major. When she's not performing, her full time position is an elementary art teacher in the Elizabeth Forward School District.
"The skill and artistry of the guest arrangers, composers, and performers of our Season Finale is top notch. It's like going to the movies, only better. So much of a movie's impact on an audience member can be directly attributed to its music... and that's just what you will get, music that moves you. Come. Sit. Enjoy—you'll be glad you did." said Yugo Ikach, WSO conductor.
Advance tickets are on sale now at Washington Financial banks, Citizens Library in Washington, and Peters Township Public Library in McMurray. Tickets are available online at www.washsym.org or call 724-223-9796. Tickets will be sold at the door beginning at 6 p.m.