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Golden Sounds - A Magical Night
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Wallingford Symphony Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Golden Celebration!
Pre-Concert Reception | 5:00 - 6:45 PM
Join us for an elegant pre-concert reception featuring live music, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and specialty drinks in the concert lobby. Sip on a Signature Lavender Limoncello Spritz or enjoy a selection of wine, beer, and coffee while savoring gourmet bites, including artisan cheeses, savory hors d’oeuvres, and decadent desserts.
As you mingle, take a walk down memory lane with a special display of vintage program booklets, posters, and articles celebrating WSO’s rich 50-year history. Archival concert recordings will play in the background, bringing past performances to life.
A Grand Musical Journey | Concert at 7:00 PM
The program opens with two powerful fanfares—Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Joan Tower’s Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman—setting the stage for an evening of bold and celebratory music. The energy continues with Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Sousa’s rousing Golden Jubilee March, leading into the lively Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka and the timeless elegance of On the Beautiful Blue Danube, celebrating Johann Strauss II’s 200th birthday.
Next, we journey to Broadway with iconic selections from The Lion King and Wicked. Audiences will be transported to the African savanna with Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight, followed by the spellbinding melodies of Wicked, featuring Defying Gravity and Popular.
Intermission
The second half of the concert shines a spotlight on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, celebrating its 100th anniversary, performed by the brilliant pianist Kariné Poghosyan. This masterpiece, blending classical and jazz influences, remains one of the most beloved works in American music history.
The celebration continues with a tribute to the golden age of jazz, featuring Duke Ellington! A Medley for Orchestra, arranged by Calvin Custer, bringing Ellington’s sophisticated swing to life with favorites like Sophisticated Lady and It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).
Closing the evening in grand style, A Salute to the Big Bands will transport us to the swing era with classics like Sing, Sing, Sing and Pennsylvania 6-5000, featuring a standout performance by Hayes Greenfield on tenor saxophone.
Secure Your Spot!
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating 50 years of the Wallingford Symphony Orchestra—a program that bridges classical brilliance, Broadway magic, and the electrifying sounds of jazz!