Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2008

Ocmulgee Symphony tunes up for Season II

"Just at a time when you thought wonders don't happen anymore, the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra is rapidly becoming one of classical music's surprises of the season," says Dr. Charles Quinn, music professor at Middle Georgia College in Cochran.

Founded by Dr. Quinn as what he describes "an unusual field of dreams in the heart of Georgia," the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra has earned rave reviews and a dedicated audience in its inaugural year.

"The orchestra serves the Middle Georgia region wherever the Ocmulgee River flows, making it a cultural asset for Warner Robins, Perry, Fort Valley, Hawkinsville, Cochran and even Abbeville, Cordele, Dublin, Eastman and Unadilla," said Quinn.

"The Macon Symphony Orchestra has provided great music for the region for years. We can't claim to compete with its heritage and reputation," he added. "But we know the need for good music exists here, and we're going to concentrate on excellence. We are finding our audiences, and they are finding us."

The classical music series 2008-09 season will premiere Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the old Hawkinsville Opera House. All season package concerts will be performed in the recently restored historic building at 100 Lumpkin Street.

Selections performed for the season premiere will be familiar to many and include Wagner's "Prelude to Act III Lohengrin," Dvorak's "New World Symphony," Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" performed by pianist Wayne Wildman and highlights from "Oklahoma!"

Actually, you don't have to wait until September to have a taste of what the OSO is all about. This Saturday, the orchestra will host the Georgia Big Band featuring the music of Glenn Miller at a benefit concert to support the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra.

"The band boasts an enormous repertoire of swing, jazz and all-time favorites played by outstanding musicians," Quinn said.

Although not a part of the season ticket package, the concert will be at the Opera House in Hawkinsville. Tickets ($20 each) may be purchased at the door, in advance at the Opera House or online. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. after a meet-and-greet reception at 6:30 p.m.

"The development of the orchestra has advanced extremely well," said Quinn. "We are experiencing so much support from individuals and the communities, which is a vital reassurance to our success. I am extremely pleased with the caliber of musicians we are able to secure."

Other Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra season package events for 2008-09 include a Nov. 22 concert sponsored by SunMark Bank celebrating the Pulaski County Bicentennial. The evening will highlight great American standards, including the national anthem, "America the Beautiful," Barber's "Commando March," "Eternal Father Strong to Save," "Variations on America" by Ives, Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture," Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Washington Post" and Barnum and Bailey's Favorite.

The Christmas Concert will be Dec. 20, with the orchestra playing Handel's Messiah, followed by the Winter Concert on Feb. 21 featuring Mozart, Hummel and Prokofiev.

The season finale will be May 16 featuring the works of Tchaikovsky, Smetana and Kalinnikov.

As a true testimonial to the success of the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra's inaugural year, there will be an additional concert, not part of the season package, Dec. 6. Sponsored by Middle Georgia Technical College, the performance will be in the Warner Robins Campus Auditorium. Tickets for that concert are $25 each and available through MGTC only.

Individual season concert tickets are $25 each, and season package tickets are $110. To learn more about the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra and how to obtain tickets, visit www.ocmulgeesymphonyorchestra.com.

Marsha Priest Buzzell may be reached at 478-922-5100 or cvb@warnerrobinsga.gov.