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The Washington Symphony Orchestra recently named California University of Pennsylvania-based rock band, The Vics, winner of its Battle of the Bands Contest.

The Vics pose with WSO Artistic Director Yugo Ikach (right).

The Vics bested seven other bands to take home the grand prize: $500 and the opportunity to perform with the WSO at its May 7 “We Will Rock You” concert.

“The Vics music was melodic, bluesy and accessible,” said WSO Artistic Director and one of the Battle of the Bands contest judges, Yugo Ikach. “What rock band would not want a symphony orchestra to ‘back them up’?”

The Vics have been working with composer Ralph Guzzi to adapt their music for the orchestra.

“Guzzi utilized two of [The Vics’] compositions: ‘Not Your Man’ and ‘Sinners and Saints,’” said Ikach. “He masterfully wove the WSO orchestral sound palette throughout the arrangement.”

All four members of The Vics’ are commercial music technology majors at Cal U. The Vics are: Cody House of Blossburg, PA; Bobby Dugan from Erie, PA; Henri Seabright from West Mifflin, PA; and Ben Auer from Mount Pleasant, PA.

According to Dugan, the WSO Battle of the Bands was The Vics’ first major show. They had only performed a few acoustic sets in public before the contest. The Vics are currently recording their debut EP.

Preceding The Vics’ set with the WSO will be a short film by Pittsburgh-based filmmaker Ron Hankison, featuring The Vics and other contestants from the WSO Battle of the Bands.

“We Will Rock You” is the final concert of the WSO’s 2015-2016 season. The concert will feature classics from ‘rock stars’ of their eras, like Beethoven, and music from the Beatles, David Bowie, Queen, and the Moody Blues.

Tickets for “We Will Rock You” start at just $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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