WHEELING — Labor Day weekend usually marks the end of summer, but it also marks the beginning of a new and exciting season for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.
That tradition continues this year when the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal Inc. present Music Under the Stars on Sunday, September 4, at Oglebay’s Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater in Wheeling.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and the event is free and open to the public.
“We’re so excited because we have something that we know the whole family will love — The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road,’” Maestro John Devlin, music director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, said Tuesday. “‘Abbey Road’ will be played in its entirety in the second half of the show, but since it’s not long enough for a full concert, we’ll also do – in the first half of the show – eight to 10 numbers of The Beatles’ greatest hits.”
Devlin said the show will feature many great selections from the Beatles’ deep catalog of classic rock tunes, plus a rendition of one of their most acclaimed albums — performed live, front to back.
“It’s meant to be heard when played continuously, and we’re going to do that,” Devlin said.
The orchestra will be joined by guest artists Jeans n’ Classics, a group of Canadian musicians dedicated to faithfully interpreting the music of legendary rock and pop albums and artists. Jeans n’ Classics has joined the VSO on many occasions over the years, providing vocals and musical accompaniment for several classic rock favorites that sound incredible when performed with a full symphony orchestra.
For the second year in a row, presenting sponsor Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. has partnered with VSO to present this concert free of charge to the public.
“We think the symphony and everyone associated with it does a great job year after year,” said Jim Hurley, president and CEO of Calcroith. “We think it’s a beautiful event, and we’re happy to sponsor it.” Investing in our community is important to us and we are proud to live and work in a city that has such a wonderful orchestra.
“Music Under the Stars provides a great opportunity for everyone to enjoy the Wheeling Symphony and Oglebay Park — two great Ohio Valley assets.”
The concert will bring Oglebay’s summer music series to a close, and there will be plenty of fun for the whole family that evening. Food vendors will be on hand and a fireworks display over the park will mark the concert season until the grand finale.
Additional support for Music Under the Stars is provided by Oglebay Resort and the Music Performance Trust Fund.
While the concert is free, donations will be accepted. A porch reception fundraiser will also be held prior to the concert on the Burton Center Porch. Admission reservations can be made by calling the VSO office or visiting vheelingsymphoni.com.
From left are Jim Hurley, president and CEO, and John Kalkreuth, president of Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal; and Wheeling Symphony Orchestra’s Betsy Delk, Director of Institutional Advancement, and Maestro John Devlin, Music Director.