Visit the orchestra’s website – http://westmorelandsymphony.org/academy-of-music/wyso/ to download copies of the audition excerpts (soon available). To schedule an audition or for more information, contact Ramona at wysorc@verizon.net or 412-216-1970. 

Music to be performed this semester includes Brahms Academic Festival Overture and the first movement of his Second Symphony. Other pieces include the music from Empire Strikes Back Medley by John Williams. The winner (s) of the concerto competition will also perform at the May 6 concert at 3 p.m. 

WYSO rehearses on Wednesday evenings, February 1 through May 9 from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. at Seton Hill University’s new Performing Arts Center in downtown Greensburg. Spring term tuition is $180.

Morrie Brand, the WSO’s executive director, said, “This grant will be used to further the orchestra’s mission of promoting musical enrichment through performances and education in the Westmoreland region.”

Said Priscilla Richardson, WSO board president, “The timing was inspired, as the orchestra just welcomed Daniel Meyer, as Artistic Director. Under his baton, the WSO is gearing to both strengthen and expand its programs. Specifically, the Perot grant will be used to strengthen the orchestra’s educational programs that reach children of all ages and adults in the community.” Possibilities range from a family night concert, to run-out concerts, even the formation of a chamber music series. Looking to the future, monies will also go to the WSO’s endowment.”

“As the new artistic leader of the WSO, I am thrilled at the potential growth and development this investment represents to the Westmoreland Symphony,” said Meyer. “We have a wonderful, dedicated audience which I hope to grow over the next few years, and this money provides an opportunity to secure our quality, grow and develop our audience, motivate creative thinking and programming, and inspire even more people to enjoy and support great music in the schools, on the stage and in our community.”

Maestro Daniel Meyer conducted the opening night concert of the 2011-2012 Season, Ode to Russia, on October 29 at 8 pm. The concert opened with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, featuring Konstantin Soukhovetski, piano. The Third Piano Concerto is one of the most revered and difficult concerti in piano repertoire. Pianist Gary Graffman said of the piece that he had regret that he had not learned the piece while he was a student, when he was “still too young to know fear.” The concert closed with Mussorgsky/Ravel’s popular Pictures at an Exhibition. 

The Westmoreland Symphony raffled off two season tickets for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2011 Season with rights to purchase playoff tickets in Section 539, Row DD. Chances were$10.00 each, and the drawing was held  on Wednesday, September 7, 2011. Proceeds benefited the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra.