By Tina Alvey
Register-Herald Reporter
BECKLEY —
Summer will get a spectacular musical send-off when the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents its 24th annual free Labor Day Concert in Beckley Monday at 7 p.m.
The event is organized and sponsored by the Beckley Area Foundation.
“We always look forward to going to Beckley,” said Grant Cooper, the symphony’s artistic director and conductor. “In my 10 years associated with this concert, we’ve always had a very receptive audience.”
Cooper promises concert-goers a wide range of music, from the film works of John Williams, including pieces from “Star Wars,” “Jurassic Park” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” to Paul McCartney’s “Live and Let Die” and The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” The Gershwin classic “Someone to Watch Over Me” is included in this year’s selections, along with “the usual dose of Sousa marches,” Cooper said.
Continuing a tradition, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” is sure to thrill the crowd.
Special guests will join the performance this year.
“Brand new to the concert this year is Ryan Hardiman, an incredibly talented West Virginia singer,” Cooper noted. Hardiman won the West Virginia Symphony Idol contest.
“And members of the local youth symphony will join the orchestra in performing ‘Stars and Stripes Forever,’” Cooper added. “We’re excited about that; it will give (the youth) an impetus to continue with their music.”
Ten members of the New River Youth Symphony and Chorus have been invited to sit in with the WVSO, thanks to Larry Ford, chairman of the 2010 Beckley Area Foundation-sponsored concert.
“It was my goal this year to include some local entities,” Ford noted. “Having the youth perform with the symphony is brand new this year. It’s never been done since I’ve been involved with the concert.”
He added, “It’s a great opportunity for these students.”
The students agree. Sam Casto explained the selection process, saying, “As percussion section leader, I was given the opportunity to participate.”
The 16-year-old from Fayetteville said, “I’m a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never played with musicians like these.”
Violinist Perri Kiser, who lives in Hico, has been with New River since the group’s beginning, five years ago. Aspiring to a career in music, Kiser is only days away from her 13th birthday.
“I’m very excited about this performance,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to playing with a big orchestra.”
Also playing violins during this special performance are Ben Casto, Nathanial Ramsey and Elyse Robinson. Christa Neal will play the viola, Kendra Ramsey the cello, Azriel Ashmore the oboe, Tim Bailey the clarinet and Christina Bailey the trumpet.
Directed by William Bailey and Judith Arnold, the NRYSC is open to students in the southern West Virginia region, encompassing Raleigh, Nicholas, Fayette, Mercer and Greenbrier counties.
This year’s West Virginia Symphony concert will also help kick off the Beckley Area Foundation’s new project — “Everyone Can Be a Philanthropist.”
Ford explained the phrase by saying, “It’s not just people who can afford to make major bequests or contributions who can be philanthropists. Everyone can give in any number of ways; it doesn’t have to be a large gift to be philanthropy.”
Recycling drop-off boxes for both used eyeglasses and cell phones will be placed at the concert site at Woodrow Wilson High School, according to Ford. Raleigh County Lions clubs will receive the glasses, while the cell phones will go to the “Cell Phones for Soldiers” program, Ford said.
He noted he also hopes area schools will take advantage of the lesson plans BAF distributed to be used by music classes in conjunction with enjoyment of the performance.
“We’re encouraging local schools to have students come and hear this wonderful concert,” Ford said. “In the past, some music and band teachers have awarded extra credit to the students who attend. It’s good for students in school bands to see a performance on a large scale like this one.”
The Beckley Area Foundation provides this free concert every year “for the benefit of the people who live in the area,” Ford noted.
Additional underwriting is provided by the Carter Family Foundation, the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts.
— E-mail: talvey@registerherald.com
