Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO) announces its 2021-22 season, “Turning Toward Home,” which will include a five-concert subscription series in the Capitol Theatre, a three-concert SoundBites series and the reprise of “A Not So Silent Night” – the WSO’s televised holiday concert. The symphony will continue its Fourth of July Tour, Music Under the Stars, Young People’s Concert Tour and WSO on the GO series.
Following a nearly two-year absence from its home stage, the WSO will return to the Capitol Theatre in January 2022 with a five-concert subscription series featuring the works of American composers Eric Nathan, Caroline Shaw, William Grant Still and Jessie Montgomery alongside masterworks from Rachmaninoff, Wagner and Shostakovich. Other highlights include the return of powerhouse vocalist Capathia Jenkins in a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald and the family-friendly “Music of Disney.”
In addition to the Capitol Series, the WSO will stage a series of community concerts beginning with the Celebrate America Tour, which will stop in Clarksburg and Canaan Valley before the final performance at the Heritage Port Amphitheater in Wheeling on July 4th. The orchestra’s annual Labor Day Weekend concert at Oglebay’s Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater will celebrate the music of Elton John. And, “A Not So Silent Night” – the WSO’s holiday concert – will again be filmed at the Cathedral of St. Joseph and televised in early December. Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will headline this special holiday event.
Rounding out the orchestra’s offerings for a busy season, will be a three-concert “SoundBites” series. These popular chamber orchestra concerts couple gourmet dining with an intimate musical experience. The first SoundBites event is planned for November at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in downtown Wheeling.
“Turning Toward Home is a fitting theme for our new season,” says Music Director John Devlin. “In a literal sense, we will be returning to our orchestra’s home on the Capitol Theatre stage and to the banks of the Ohio River for our traditional July 4th Celebration. To once again fill these spaces with live orchestra music will most certainly bring a sense of healing for our musicians and our community.”
Bryan Braunlich, WSO Executive Director, is looking forward to a season with fewer restrictions and more audience interaction. “The creativity and energy of John Devlin and the WSO staff allowed the orchestra to reach audiences in new ways during the many months that live music was prohibited in West Virginia. We staged virtual concerts, televised concerts and hybrid concerts with streamed music,” says Braunlich. “Our community supported us at every turn, and we look forward to welcoming them back into the audience at a live concert this season,” he added.
Be sure to watch for additional announcements and updates including the release of our SoundBites series dates and locations. 2021-22 Capitol Series subscription packages are available for purchase. Single tickets will be available later this year. For ticket pricing and subscription packaging, visit wheelingsymphony.com or call 304-232-6191.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Capitol Theatre Subscription Series
Friday, January 21, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Baroque and Beyond
Shaw: Entr’acte
Nathan: Dancing with J.S. Bach, Suite 1
Nathan: Double Concerto (Violin and Clarinet)
Max Richter: Recomposed: Vivaldi—The Four Seasons
Guest Artists: Yoonah Kim, Clarinet
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Rachel Stegeman, violin
Friday, February 18, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Disney in Concert
Come be enchanted by Disney in Concert “Magical Music from the Movies” with the Wheeling Symphony, conductor John Devlin, projected video clips from iconic Disney films, and four leading vocalists. Every new generation has a favorite Disney musical, whether it’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King or Frozen. And then there are the classics, from a Mary Poppins medley to the “Yo ho” of Pirates of the Caribbean. When everyone joins together for memorable moments and melodies that Mouseketeers of all ages know by heart, it feels like a small world, after all.
Friday, March 18, 2022 at 7:30 pm
American Roots
Jessie Montgomery: Coincident Dances
Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor
William Grant Still: Symphony No. 2 in G minor, “Song of a New Race”
Guest Artist: Natasha Paremski, piano
Friday, April 15, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald
Guest Artist: Capathia Jenkins and Aisha de Haas, vocals
This Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald honors “The First Lady of Song” and will feature many of her hits from the Great American Songbook, including It Don’t Mean A Thing, If It Ain’t Got That Swing, How High the Moon, I Got Rhythm, Summertime, A-Tisket, A-Tasket, Satin Doll, Blue Skies, Bewitched and many more. Several songs will be performed with the original Nelson Riddle and Billy May orchestrations and others are newly created by Tony Award nominated arranger Larry Blank. This program will star amazing singers, Capathia Jenkins and Aisha de Haas.
Friday, May 20, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Music as History from East to West
Florence Price: Concert Overture no. 2
Wagner: Der Fliegende Höllander (Flying Dutchman) Overture
Shostakovich: Symphony no. 5
Community Concert Series
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at Heritage Port Amphitheater at 7:30 pm
Celebrate American July 4th Concert & Fireworks
Guest Artist: Bronson Norris Murphy, Vocalist
The WSO returns to the Heritage Port Amphitheater for an evening of patriotic standards and favorite Broadway tunes with Bronson Norris Murphy. Mr. Murphy has appeared on Broadway in Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies and has toured the U.S. with CATS. A fireworks celebration over the Ohio River will punctuate the night!
Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Oglebay Amphitheater at 7:30pm
Music Under the Stars
Remember When Rock was Young, the Elton John Tribute
Guest Artist: Craig A. Meyer, Vocalist
Join the orchestra at the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater at Oglebay for a high-energy tribute to Elton John featuring vocalist Craig A. Meyer. Meyer is considered to be the best Elton John tribute artist in the market, whose strong vocals, striking resemblance and amazing talent on the piano has audiences everywhere remembering when rock was young. This spectacular musical journey celebrates the decades of chart topping hits by Sir Elton John, including: “Benny and the Jets”, “Philadelphia Freedom”, “Crocodile Rock,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Candle in the Wind.” A celebration of the character, costumes and charisma of the famed pianist and singer, Meyer’s fully produced show has captivated audiences throughout the United States and abroad.
December 2021
Special Holiday Event: Televised broadcast of “A Not So Silent Night”
Guest Artist: Sasha Cooke
Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke will headline this special holiday concert from Wheeling’s Cathedral of St. Joseph. Viewers will enjoy treasured favorites and experience new holiday fare as we kick-off the season of anticipation and joy.
SoundBites Series
The WSO and Maestro John Devlin will continue this innovative approach to the concert experience which pairs chamber orchestra music with a multi-course gourmet meal and signature cocktail. Dates and locations to be announced.
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ABOUT THE SYMPHONY
Your Community in Concert
The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WSO) celebrates more than 90 years of providing outstanding orchestral music to the residents of Wheeling, WV and the Greater Ohio Valley. From subscription concerts and holiday events to chamber music performances and educational programs, the WSO provides world-class musical experiences under the baton of Music Director John Devlin. Wheeling continues to be the smallest city in the United States to support a symphony of this size and caliber.
