Now Under Wagon Wheel Umbrella, First Symphony Of The Lakes Concert Tuesday
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Since the Wagon Wheel Theatre took over the Symphony of the Lakes, the orchestra also has a new conductor and musical director in Thomas Stirling. With the changes the symphony has undergone this year, it will present its first concert Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now and also will be available at the door. In May, Stirling said, the symphony came to the WWT to see if there might be an opportunity for a joint effort in the sense that the theater would bring the symphony under its umbrella. “Later this summer, we made the formal change and in mid-summer, they actually made the transition under the Wagon Wheel Theatre umbrella,” he continued. Stirling said he was brought on board early in the process. “I was already coming on board full time at the Wagon Wheel Theatre this fall, so they thought it would be a good opportunity to see what my interest would be to incorporate myself into the organization. So I’ve been pretty much from the get-go involved in the process that has been moving along here since mid May,” he said. Another change made with the symphony coming under the umbrella of the theater is the tickets. “One of the things that we also want to make sure the people know is that there is an admission to this concert, which is something a little bit different than what the symphony has done in the past,” Stirling said. “We’re now in the process in the reorganizational stage trying to move forward to become a more professional type orchestra, which means paying musicians and those type of things as well.” Stirling said admission, however, is a really great price. Adults are $15, students are $5 age 13 through college, and children 12 and under are free. The theme for Tuesday’s show is “The Polar Express.” Music from the movie is featured in the concert. “We wanted to sort of incorporate kind of a theme which really can tie into any kind of traditional Christmas music per se,” Stirling said. “The Polar Express” talks about believing, and Stirling said that ties into the sacred plus the secular traditions families have. “It all sort of intertwines into a thematic train throughout the whole concert for the theme,” he said. Besides music from the movie, Stirling said there will be a wide variety of other Christmas music. “We’ll have traditional Christmas carols, the audience will get a little involved with participation and a sing-along. Some of the classics like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Sleigh Ride.’ We’ll feature songs from ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Home Alone 2.’ There will be a combined effort with the groups that are performing as well with that. And some new orchestral works. Some brand new works that have never really been performed here at the Symphony and they’re just brand new, so we’re just looking forward to premiering those too,” Stirling said. “It’s been a really busy time. It’s been very rewarding,” he stated. “Honestly, the work for this particular concert started way back in May.” New musicians had to be recruited, as well as some musicians being brought back to the symphony. Contacts had to be made with the choirs that will be involved, which are the Lakeland Youth Chorale and the Lakeland Community Choir. There will be 112 performers in Tuesday night’s concert, and Dr. Ardis Faber will guest conduct the Lakeland Youth Chorale. “So it’s been a constant flow of events and planning for the last six months,” Stirling said. The process has been a learning experience for everyone, he said. Some decisions have already been made for next year, like the calendar of events. He said Tuesday’s concert also will be a kick-off for other events they’ll be doing early on before the symphony starts a full subscription season in fall 2014. After Tuesday’s performance, the next concert will be March 15 at the WCHS PAC. The theme is still being worked out, but it will be more of a family event as well, Stirling said. A chamber concert is scheduled for Mother’s Day, May 11. It will be at the WWT at 3 p.m. “As far as the Symphony of the Lakes is concerned, we’re really excited about a lot of the changes that are taking place,” Stirling said. “I hope people that are available Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7 can come and enjoy the concert. It’s going to be a great family event.”Tickets are available currently at the Wagon Wheel Theatre box office. He stated the Symphony of the Lakes website is being relaunched at symphonyofthelakes.com A link on the working homepage will direct viewers to the Wagon Wheel website, www.wagonwheeltheatre.com, to purchase tickets for Tuesday’s event. At the door, tickets can be purchased starting at 6 p.m. Since it’s general admission, seating will be available starting at 6:30 p.m. To see the free full interview with Stirling about the Symphony of the Lakes and Tuesday’s concert, visit the Times-Union website at www.timesuniononline.com
