Mid-Columbia Symphony to close 2015-16 season with ‘extravaganza’
Mid-Columbia Symphony often ends its concert season with something special, something big.
And the 2015-16 season finale, set May 21 in Richland, is no exception.
Centered on the theme Faith, the concert will feature appearances by Mid-Columbia Mastersingers and the Mid-Columbia Boys’ Choir, along with guest vocal and instrumental soloists.
“There are a lot of moving pieces in this concert,” said Nicholas Wallin, the symphony’s director and conductor. “It’s going to be an extravaganza.”
Showtime is 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Richland High School, 930 Long Ave.
Faith caps a season of concerts all centered around a single theme, from the opening Passion, to Elegance, Nationalism and History.
The concert will include Gloria by French composer Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc; Russian composer Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms; American composer Alan Hovhaness’ The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam; and Baal Shem by Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch.
Mid-Columbia Mastersingers will join the symphony on Gloria and Symphony of Psalms, with the boys’ choir also lending their voices to the latter piece.
Soprano soloist Molly Holleran will be featured on Gloria, and Chicago violinist Kate Carter will join the orchestra for Baal Shem.
“It’s a very difficult violin solo, and really rich and expressive piece,” Wallin said, adding Carter “sounds fantastic” on it.
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam will feature narration from Jeremy Irland and accordion soloist George Woodward.
The concert will “feel big, like a true finale,” with as many as 150 musicians on stage at once, Wallin said.
There are a lot of moving pieces in this concert. It’s going to be an extravaganza.
Nicholas Wallin
the symphony’s director and conductorAs the 2015-16 season winds down, the Mid-Columbia Symphony is looking ahead to next season. The theme will be Circle of Fifths, with shows devoted to renowned composers’ fifth symphonies. For the season finale, the orchestra will perform The Lord of the Rings Symphony.
Season tickets for 2016-17 are available.
Tickets for the May 21 concert are $15 to $50, depending on the seat. They’re available at www.midcolumbiasymphony.org, by calling 509-943-6602 and at the symphony office at 1177 Jadwin Ave., Suite 103, Richland.
Sara Schilling: 509-582-1529, @SaraTCHerald
IF YOU GO
What: Mid-Columbia Symphony presents Faith, its season finale concert.
When: 7:30 p.m. May 21.
Where: Auditorium at Richland High School, 930 Long Ave.
Cost: Tickets are $15 to $50, depending on the seat. They’re available at www.midcolumbiasymphony.org, by calling 509-943-6602 and at the symphony office at 1177 Jadwin Ave., Suite 103, Richland.
This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Mid-Columbia Symphony to close 2015-16 season with ‘extravaganza’."